Palace of Iturbide facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palace of Iturbide |
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Palacio de Iturbide
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Facade of Palace of Iturbide
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| Alternative names | Palace of the Counts of San Mateo de Valparaiso and Marquises of Jaral de Berio |
| Etymology | Agustín de Iturbide |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | New Spanish Baroque |
| Construction started | 1779 |
| Completed | 1785 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Francisco Antonio Guerrero y Torres |
The Palace of Iturbide is a grand old building in the heart of Mexico City. It was built a long time ago, between 1779 and 1785, as a special wedding gift for a daughter. This palace became famous because Agustín de Iturbide, an important leader, lived there and became Mexico's first emperor after the country gained independence from Spain. Today, this beautiful building has been carefully restored and is known as the Palacio de Cultura Banamex. It's a place where people can enjoy art and learn new things.
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A Palace with a Past
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This amazing palace was built by a very rich man named Miguel de Berrio y Saldívar. He was the Count of San Mateo Valparaíso and the Marquis of Jaral de Berrio. His wealth came from mining and raising animals. He was also the mayor of Mexico City.
Why the Palace Was Built
People say he built the palace to be as grand as his daughter's wedding gift, which was a huge amount of money. He wanted to make sure his new son-in-law, the Marquis of Moncada from Sicily, wouldn't waste his daughter's fortune. The palace was even designed to look like the royal palace in Palermo.
Iturbide's Connection
The builder's grandson didn't want to live in the palace. Instead, he let important visitors stay there. One of these visitors was Agustín de Iturbide. From a balcony at this palace, Iturbide accepted the offer to become Mexico's first emperor after the country became independent from Spain. He lived here from 1821 to 1823, using the palace as his royal home.
Land Before the Palace
Before the palace was built, this land was given to Gonzalo Juárez de Córdoba by the Spanish Crown. Later, in the 1600s, it was a convent for the Sisters of Saint Brigit. They eventually sold the land to Miguel de Berrio y Saldívar.
The Palace's Design
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This palace is a great example of Mexican Baroque style. It was designed by Francisco Antonio Guerrero y Torres and finished by his brother-in-law, Agustín Duran. Construction took place between 1779 and 1785.
Outside the Palace
The building has three main floors and a smaller floor in between, called a mezzanine. Its design shows influences from Italian Baroque architecture. The front of the building, called the façade, is made of two types of stone: dark red tezontle and light-colored cantera stone. At each end of the façade, there are two strong, tower-like structures.
There's also a central covered walkway, or loggia, which is now closed to visitors. The façade is decorated with beautiful stone carvings. These carvings show natural shapes like flowers, small mermaids with two tails, and elegant male figures.
Inside the Palace
When you enter, the porch has a curved, vaulted ceiling. A large archway leads into the main courtyard. This courtyard is decorated with interesting geometric patterns. Around the courtyard, there are eighteen arches supported by strong Tuscan columns.
What the Palace Became
Over the years, the Palace of Iturbide has had many different uses.
From College to Hotel
In the early 1800s, the building was home to the College of Mining. This was a school for students studying mining. In 1855, the palace was changed into a hotel. It stayed a hotel for more than 100 years!
A Cultural Center Today
In 1965, the building was bought by the National Bank of Mexico. They carefully restored it. In 1972, it became the home of the Banamex Cultural Foundation, known as Fomento Cultural Banamex.
The foundation spent two years, from 2002 to 2004, doing a lot of important restoration work. After this, the building reopened as the "Palacio de Cultura Banamex." Today, it hosts many temporary art exhibitions. It also offers art workshops for both adults and children, making it a vibrant place for culture and learning.
Images for kids
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Facade of the Palace of Iturbide in 1883 by Thomas Brocklehurst.
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Courtyard of the Palace of Iturbide in 1880 by Abel Briquet.
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See also
In Spanish: Palacio de Iturbide para niños
