Highlights
The Heart of Colonial New Spain
Colegio de San Ildefonso brings to life the colonial era of Mexico’s history. Steps away from the Zocalo and Metropolitan Cathedral, the college was an important institution at the heart in the capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty of New Spain.
The founding of the college dates back to the work of the Jesuits in the early decades of the Spanish Empire. The Jesuits were active across New Spain, working to convert the indigenous population to Roman Catholicism.
The building that now stands on the site dates back to the 18th century, and is a classic example of Spanish colonial architecture in the Baroque style. This palatial building is centered on tranquil courtyards, surrounded by grand archways, wide patios and large airy rooms and hallways.
In later centuries, the Jesuits had a turbulent time in New Spain and were expelled from the Spanish colonies by King Charles III in 1767. San Ildefonso continued to function as a college, now secular and under the control of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
Following Mexico’s independence from Spain, President Benito Juárez introduced sweeping legislation in the 1860s, known as the Reform Laws. This transferred most church property to the Mexican state, with the education system brought under government rather than church control.
San Ildefonso became a high school (La Escuela Nacional Preparatoria) and was later incorporated into the National University (UNAM). Although La Escuela Nacional Preparatoria vacated the building in the 1970s, it reopened as a cultural center and art gallery in 1992 and has hosted some of the most acclaimed art exhibitions in Mexico City.
Birthplace of the Muralist Movement
The Mexican muralist movement swept the global art scene in the first half of the 20th century, with artists adorning public buildings with vast paintings that aimed to encapsulate the values of the Mexican Revolution and develop the public’s understanding of their nation’s history.
Colegio de San Ildefonso is widely considered the birthplace of the movement. In 1922, José Vasconcelos, who at the time was Secretary of State for Public Education and considered the ‘cultural caudillo’ of the Mexican Revolution, opened the doors of San Ildefonso to a group of artists who began to decorate the walls of the building. These artists’ murals line the walls of the college to this day.
The vast majority of the works on display were painted by José Clemente Orozco between 1923 and 1926. Oromo’s works cover Mexican history, notably the Spanish conquest and Mexican Revolution, as well as social class and political concepts such as freedom, law and justice. The collection is also notable for featuring Diego Rivera’s first mural, La Creación (The Creation) located in the building’s theatre.
Art lovers will also enjoy the range of temporary exhibitions that are held in the building throughout the year, featuring top Mexican and international artists, covering diverse styles and themes from classic to contemporary.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Opening Hours| Monday: | Closed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday to Sunday: | 11:00 AM | — |
06:00 PM |
Last entry is at 5.30pm
Ticket Prices| Tickets (Mexican Pesos): | $ 50 |
|---|---|
| Approx. cost in US dollars: | $ 2.50 |
Ticket OfficeTickets to visit the building and cultural center are available from the ticket office to the right of the main entrance doors.
Getting There
WalkSituated in the heart of the Centro Histórico next to the Zócalo central plaza, Colegio de San Ildefonso is within easy reach of many of Mexico City’s most significant historical buildings.
Many sights are just steps away and can easily be combined into a day’s sightseeing:
- Templo Mayor
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- Palacio Nacional
- National Museum of Art
BikeRenting a bicycle is an enjoyable way to travel from Roma, Condesa or Polanco to the Centro Histórico.
Bikes can be hired by the minute using the Ecobici app, with hundreds of stations located on almost every major street corner in this region of Mexico City. Download the app, find an Ecobici station, and unlock any bike by scanning the QR code printed on each bike.
A dedicated bike lane separated from the traffic runs along Avenida Paseo de la Reforma. This route begins in Polanco, continuing along the avenue past major hotels and monuments including the Angel of Independence, before reaching Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Once you have reached Palacio de Bellas Artes:
- Cross the main street ahead (Eje Central) and head down Avenida 5 de Mayo, which also has a dedicated bike lane separated from the traffic.
- This avenue finishes in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Here, there are several stations to return your Ecobici.
- Take a short walk down the street Donceles which passes behind the Metropolitan Cathedral. The entrance to Colegio de San Ildefonso will be on your left.
UberRideshare apps Uber and Didi are widely used across Mexico City.
Select as your destination:
- Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso,
- Justo Sierra 16, Col Centro Histórico, Cuauhutémoc, 06020, Mexico City
The historic streets of the Centro Histórico can be extremely congested with traffic. If you would prefer a short walk to sitting in traffic, Palacio de Bellas Artes makes a good alternative drop-off point. It is easier to reach by car, avoiding the narrow historic streets.
Select as your destination:
- Palacio de Bellas Artes,
- Av Juárez Esquina Eje Central S/N, Col Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050, Mexico City
Colegio de San Ildefonso is around a 15-minute walk from Palacio de Bellas Artes:
- Cross the main street (Eje Central) and walk down the pedestrianized Avenida Madero.
- This takes you to the Zócalo which is also pedestrianized.
- Walk across the square to the far (eastern) side of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Cross the walkway with views of the Templo Mayor.
- Colegio de San Ildefonso is across the street Donceles / Justo Sierra, opposite the Templo Mayor.
DriveThe center of Mexico City is clogged with traffic and difficult for visitors to navigate when driving. But for those choosing to self-drive, there are many parking lots in the Centro Historico.
All are a short walk away from Colegio de San Ildefonso.
Some of the easiest to access include:
TuribusTuribus is a convenient way to tour all of Mexico City’s major sights in a short time. Open-top buses offer great views of the city, while the driver takes care of navigating the chaotic streets.
The Turibus Centro Historico route stops in the Zocalo next to the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is just a few minutes walk from Colegio de San Ildefonso.
The circuit also covers many of the city’s other major points of interest, including:
- Palacio de Bellas Artes
- National Museum of Anthropology
- The Angel of Independence & Avenida Paseo de la Reforma
- Monument to the Revolution
Full details of the route and pick-up points are available from Turibus.
Tickets can be purchased in-person at the bus stops, or prebook online from Turibus, Viator or Get Your Guide
MetrobusLine 4 (Ruta Norte) of the Metrobus network passes close to Colegio de San Ildefonso. The nearest station is Teatro del Pueblo.
However, this bus journey through the narrow streets of the Centro Historico is relatively slow, and a better option is to take the Metro from the nearby station Zócalo (Line 2).
Whether you take the Metro (Line 2) or Metrobus (Line 4), both stop at Hidalgo and Revolución and the Metro should get you there faster. These two stations give several options to travel to the other touristic districts of Mexico City:
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At Hidalgo, you can change to Metrobus Line 7, which runs west down Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, passing major hotels, monuments and Chapultepec Park, terminating at Campo Marte in Polanco.
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To reach the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, take Line 7 from Hidalgo to Reforma. At Reforma, cross the street to change to Line 1. This line runs down Avenida Insurgentes Sur, with a number stations allowing convenient access to Roma and Condesa (including Durango, Álvaro Obregón and Chilpancingo).
MetroMany of the city’s Metro lines pass through the Centro Histórico close to Colegio de San Ildefonso.
The nearest station is Zócalo.
Here are the most convenient routes to the city’s main touristic centers:
Due to the closure of Line 1 for major renovations, the Metrobus offers an easier route to the main touristic centers in Roma, Condesa and Juárez.
To travel from the Monument to the Revolution: Line 2 connects the station Revolución (close to the Monument) to Zócalo.
For travel from Coyoacán: Take Line 3 from Coyoacán to Hidalgo. At Hidalgo, change to Line 2 for short ride to Zócalo.