Museo Franz Mayer

Housed in a grand edifice that once served as a hospital, and also as a clinic for prostitutes, the Museo Franz Mayer revels the passions of its benefactor. Born in Mannheim, Germany, Mayer (1882-1975) moved to Mexico in 1905. He was a financier-philanthropist who collected not just paintings, but also liturgical silver, ceramics, textiles and furniture (oodles of trunks and writing desks). His collection includes paintings by European masters such as José de Ribera (1591 - 1652) and Mexican powerhouses such as José María Velasco (1840 - 1912) and Diego Rivera (1886 - 1957). The museum, which opened in 1986, devotes some of its space to temporary exhibitions, but there are also rooms full of period furniture. There is also a library with illuminated manuscripts. You could easily spend two hours here. If you need a break, there's a relatively pricey cafe in the leafy interior courtyard of the museum.

Location:
Av. Hidalgo 45, Col. Centro Histórico
La Alameda Central, Mexico City, Mexico

Museum Types:
Art

Getting There
The nearest metro is Bellas Artes. The museum is located in a corner of Plaza de la Santa Veracruz, north of Alameda Park.

Travel Tips: An English pamphlet is available, but most descriptions are in Spanish. Parking is available in an adjacent lot. Visitors can use cameras without flash. There's a museum shop. Backpacks and large bags must be left in the baggage room.

Price Description: $2.29 (30 pesos) for adults. $1.10 (15 pesos with ID) for students, teachers, seniors over 60 and children under $0.88 (12 pesos). Free on Tuesdays.

Relative price: Mid-Range

Open Hours from:10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday – Sunday. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Days Closed:Mondays

Travel Skills: None

Museo Nacional de la Estampa, Iglesia de la Santa Veracruz, Iglesia de San Juan de Dios, Alameda Central, Palacio de Bellas Artes

Currencies accepted
Mexican peso

Contact Information:
Zip: 06300
Phone: (52) (55) 5518-2266
Fax: (52) (55) 5521-2888
E-mail: museo(at)remove-this.franzmayer.org.mx
URL: www.franzmayer.org.mx