House of the Marquis of Uluapa, Mexico City facts for kids
The House of the Marquis of Uluapa is a historic building in the heart of Mexico City, Mexico. You can find it on 5 de Febrero Street. Even though it's called the "House of the Marquis of Uluapa," no one really knows who first owned it. It's also been shown that it never actually belonged to a marquis! Because of this, its official name is simply "the house at number 18, 5 de Febrero Street." But most people still call it by its popular name.
What the House Looks Like from Outside
The outside of the house, called the facade, has two main levels. It also has a special middle floor called a mezzanine. This design was very common for houses built in the 1700s. The mezzanine often served as an office for the owner. It even had its own separate entrance.
The flatter parts of the facade are quite simple. But you can spot cool stone gargoyles sticking out! The main entrance is much more fancy. It's decorated with carved plants, chain links, and swirling shapes. You can also see mollusk shells and small, funny-looking masks. The arches inside the patio have pyramid-shaped decorations.
Discovering the Inside of the House
What makes this house truly special is what's inside. On the second floor, you'll find amazing tile murals. These murals were made right there in Mexico City. They show life-sized pictures of people who worked in houses long ago. You can see butlers, washwomen, and even cobblers (shoe repairers).
Usually, tile murals from that time showed religious scenes. So, having murals of everyday servants makes this house very unique! Unfortunately, the House of the Marquis of Uluapa is not open to the public.
See also
In Spanish: Casa de la Marquesa de Uluapa para niños
