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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Murales de Diego Rivera en la Secretaria de Educacion Publica

Mural de Diego Rivera en el museo de sitio  by Luis Alvaz/

The murals were painted from 1923 to 1928, primarily by Diego Rivera. Many consider the murals to be the foundational work that established the aesthetic of the Mexican Mural Renaissance.

When Diego Rivera returned to Mexico after several years of living in Europe, he found a country that was coming out of a bloody and long revolution.

The murals address thematic issues of nation-building, indigenísmo, modernization, and socialist politics themes that Mexican muralists continued to address.

Rivera named the two courtyards Labor Courtyard and the other the Fiesta Courtyard based on the themes he painted in each.

1. The fascinating architectural positioning of the Murals is attractive to the tourists

Mural de Diego Rivera by Luis Alvaz/

The south-facing wall depicts the weavers and dyers from Tehuantepec and the sugar cane harvesting that occurred in Yucatán.

The northern region of Mexico is represented on the opposite wall by workers at steel foundries, as well as farmers and a rural school teacher.

The west-facing wall panels depict mining, farming, and the creation of pottery that occurred primarily in the western region of Jalisco.

2. The astonishing Secretaria de Educacion was built originally as the Convento de Nuestra 

The Secretaría de Educación Publica SEP was built originally as the Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación in 1639.

In 1921, architect Federico Méndez Rivas designed renovations and additions to host the new Ministry of Public Education.

It oversaw not just education at the national level, but the sponsorship of cultural works and festivals.

The three-story building is built around two large open courtyards. The painted walls line a continuous corridor that faces inward towards the courtyards.

3. The fascinating Mexican artists Rivera, Charlot, and Xavier worked on the true Fresco

Mural de Diego Rivera by Luis Alvaz/

Mexican artists had to determine the best manner of painting on walls in response to these commissions.

With the SEP cycle, Rivera and the artists Jean Charlot and Xavier Guerrero worked in true fresco.

Charlot had studied fresco in 15th-century Italian texts, He claimed to have discovered their secret in the use of nopal cactus juice as a binding agent, and this technique was used on several panels.

Rivera said that at the SEP, he initiated the true novelty of Mexican painting by making the people the heroes of mural painting.

His representation of labor and anonymous workers in a monumental style on the walls of a government building was radical and reflects his Marxist politics.

4. In the awesome Court of Labor represents traditional economic activities 

In the Court of Labor, Rivera represented traditional economic activities such as mining and sugar harvesting.

Rivera organized his painted scenes of labor to reflect the Mexican regions where they took place.

It was the architect Federico Méndez Rivas, who made great reforms in the cloister of the convent to leave the building as it is today.

5. At the fascinating Entrance there is my picture 

In Entrance into the Mine, workers carry lumber, shovels, and pickaxes as they descend into the opening of the mine.

The mine’s arches suggest eyebrows and it’s opening a mouth that alludes to the Mexica earth monster deity.

Tlaltecuhtli is often depicted with a gaping mouth and crocodile skin, and it represented the surface of the earth.

According to Mexica mythology, Tlaltecuhtli demanded human blood for nourishment—a debt owed because the gods had created life.

6. The astonishing Murals are free to visit all you will need to show is your ID to enter

Mural de Diego Rivera by Luis Alvaz/

The murals are free to visit but you will need to show a photo ID to enter. The paintings are labeled in both Spanish and English.

Since this is a working government site and not a museum, there aren’t any other explanatory materials.

Guided tours are available if you’d like a full breakdown of the murals’ composition.  No onsite amenities are available to the public.

7. As a Tourist enjoy the fascinating Mexican culture and history at Murales de Diego Rivera

Mural de Diego Rivera by Luis Alvaz/

During the visit to Mexican culture and history at Murales de Diego Rivera en la Secretaria de Educacion Publica.

You can tour outer courtyards, stairways, and three floors featuring wall upon wall of grand yet revealing murals representing Rivera’s perspective on Mexico’s past.

All painting titles are labeled in both English and Spanish, but since the site offers no guidebooks, it may be wise to take a guided tour to get the full artistic impact.

Uniquely, the murals are open-air and not in a museum, but along the passageways lining the working offices of the education department.

This means you are likely to ponder the murals all to yourself and can get up close to see every detailed brushstroke.

8. The remarkable Educacion Publica is located within the courtyard of the Secretaria Publica

Located within the courtyard of the Secretaria de education public are 120 frescos painted by Diego Rivera.

Rivera was commissioned to do these over a few years in the 1920s and they have been perfectly preserved since.

It is a little tricky to find the entrance to the building the frescos are extensive and impressive.

9. The awesome Diligencias Hotel is located cin entral Mexico City 

Hotel Diligencias is located in central Mexico City, just 1 block from Plaza Garibaldi Square and 2 blocks from Reforma Avenue. It offers rooms with cable TV and free Wi-Fi.

The rooms at the Diligencias feature a sofa, a fan, and a desk. Each one comes with a private bathroom with a hairdryer and toiletries, all rooms have city views.

Mexico City’s Fine Arts Museum is just 2 blocks from Diligencias Hotel, and the Zócalo is 6 blocks away. Airport buses leave from a stop located just opposite the hotel.

10. The amazing Taboo Polanco is sophisticated and offers a unique Mediterranean dish

Taboo Polanco stands out for its sophisticated decoration and energy-charged, glamorous ambiance.

You can find it on Masaryk Avenue, one of the most important Latin American hot spots, its exclusive ingredients, and original presentations make them look like true works of art.

It is a place where culinary traditions and quality products have the lead part, Taboo Polanco is part of Grupo Rosa Negra, which operates successful restaurants throughout Mexico.

Taboo Restaurant offers a unique Mediterranean gastronomic proposal with dishes that will surprise your senses.