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Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso

ArchitectureArtHistoryOpen until 6pmFrom £50Zócalo/Tenochtitlan (Metro Line 2)

Founded by the Jesuits in 1588 and later home to the National Preparatory School, San Ildefonso is one of the grandest colonial buildings in Mexico City's historic centre. In 1922 José Vasconcelos invited Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jean Charlot and others to paint its walls, launching the Mexican muralist movement. Run by UNAM, the federal Ministry of Culture and the city government, it now shows its mural collection alongside temporary exhibitions and houses the memorial of Octavio Paz and Marie José Tramini.

What's On

Now
Oct
Nov
Dec

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Justo Sierra 16, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, 06020 Ciudad de México, Mexico

Nearest station: Zócalo/Tenochtitlan (Metro Line 2), Allende (Metro Line 2)

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Hours

MonClosed
Tue11:00–18:00
Wed11:00–18:00
ThuToday11:00–18:00
Fri11:00–18:00
Sat11:00–18:00
Sun11:00–18:00

Admission

From £50

Free on Sundays, and for under-12s, visitors with disabilities and seniors with INAPAM card. Students and teachers MXN 25; Noche de Museos (last Wednesday of the month) MXN 25.

Nearby

Museo del Templo Mayor

History3 min walk

Museo del Estanquillo

ArtFree8 min walk

Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL)

Architecture11 min walk

Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes

Architecture14 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso cost?
Standard adult admission to Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso is £50. Free on Sundays, and for under-12s, visitors with disabilities and seniors with INAPAM card. Students and teachers MXN 25; Noche de Museos (last Wednesday of the month) MXN 25.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso?
Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso is open Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–18:00 (ticket office closes 17:30); closed Monday. Free entry on Sundays. Guided tours of the murals, building and Octavio Paz Memorial at 11:30, 13:30 and 16:00.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso?
Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso is located at Justo Sierra 16, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, 06020 Ciudad de México, Mexico, in the Centro Histórico area of Mexico City. The nearest stations are Zócalo/Tenochtitlan (Metro Line 2), Allende (Metro Line 2).
What can I see at Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso?
Baroque Jesuit college turned museum, the birthplace of Mexican muralism with walls by Orozco, Rivera and Siqueiros. Current highlights include La Trinchera, José Clemente Orozco, Memorial Octavio Paz y Marie José Tramini, Entretejidas | Mextrópoli, 13o. Festival de Arquitectura y Ciudad.
Do I need to book Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

ProtoplasmaKid / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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