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If you love impressive architecture, amazing views, and a splash of history, then put Mexico City’s Monument to the Revolution (Monumento a la Revolución) on your list of places to visit (just a short hop from the Zócalo). I’m not sure why this cool spot isn’t on the usual must-see lists for Mexico City.
As its name implies, the Monument to the Revolution as it currently stands was built to commemorate the Mexican Revolution. But what you see today was not at all the original plan.
Read on to learn about the history and architecture of this monument, and how to plan your visit.
History and Architecture
The building on this site was originally going to be a neoclassical legislative palace. In 1897 Porfirio Diaz commissioned French architect Émile Bénard to design and construct the palace using fancy Italian marble and Norwegian granite. Diaz laid the first stone in 1910 and construction began.
But…the Mexican Revolution also began in 1910 and Diaz was ousted in 1911. While work continued for a few more years, the events of the revolution ultimately squashed the original plans for completing the grand structure.
All that was built between 1910 and 1913 was the iron-girded structure of the interior dome. Funding ran out after the assassination of President Francisco Madero in 1913, and the project was abandoned. The core structure sat there unfinished for another 20 years.
In 1933, Mexican architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia proposed repurposing the structure as a monument to the heroes of the Mexican Revolution.
And so in 1938, using this Neoclassical structure as a base, they completed the Art Deco and Mexican social realism style structure you see today. They used quintessentially Mexican materials in the construction, such as volcanic stone, copper and brass.
The Monument to the Revolution stands at an impressive 220 feet (67 meters) tall, making it the tallest triumphal arch in the world.
What to Expect on your Visit to the Monument to the Revolution
A visit to the Monument to the Revolution has basically three parts. First you visit the base, where you can get a glimpse of the impressive iron structure, learn about the construction, and admire some art installations. Then you ride up a glass elevator to the cupola, and then the best part, step outside to admire the striking stone sculptures and the amazing city views. Then you climb up some dark stairs to get to the cupola at the very top, for some even more amazing city views.
Read on for more details on what to expect on your Visit to the Monument to the Revolution.
Exhibits
Once you get your tickets (if you get the full access pass), your first stop will be into the belly of the structure. You will wind through thousands of steel beams, learning about the construction of the building. There is also an interesting exhibit of glass rifles peppered throughout the structure. See if you can spot them!
Elevator
When you are ready to head up, a glass elevator shoots you up 57 meters right into the heart of the dome. This elevator was added as part of an extensive renovation in 2010.
While this elevator is cool, it’s not as cool as the original 1938 elevator that went up the curve of the dome. Through some miracle hanging technology, the cabin stayed upright as it went up 36 meters in one minute.
Dome
This is where it gets fun. You get an immediate “ooh” just seeing the dome structure above you. You can walk all the way around inside.
Then step outside to admire the views on the main deck from all four sides. There is even a café up there.
Sculptures
Mexican sculptor Oliverio Martínez designed the four striking Art Deco stone statues at each corner of the monument. The statues represent Independence, Reform Laws, Agrarian Laws, and Workers Laws. The sculptures are each 11.5 meters (almost 38 feet) high.
While you get up close to the sculptures when you are on the dome platform area, you can only really see the back and sides. It’s actually a lot easier to see them from the ground.
Summit (Linternilla)
After you enjoy the views out on the viewing deck, step back inside. There’s more!
It’s time to climb up through the dome structure to the tippy top. It involves a lot of ducking and bending. But it’s worth it to see the actual steel structure that makes up the dome.
And of course, once you get to the summit, there are more spectacular views. If I recall correctly, you have a limited time to spend at the very top, but if its not crowded I don’t think they care.
Then you have to wind your way back down through the steel structure and uneven stairs. It’s a claustrophobe’s nightmare. But that’s the price of the views here.
Crypts
There are actually crypts underneath the monument, which serve as the final resting place for a few heroes of the Mexican Revolution. They include the famous Francisco “Pancho” Villa (infamous revolutionary general), Francisco I. Madero (liberal reformer), Plutarco Elías Calles (soldier and President of Mexico, Venustiano Carranza (revolutionary and President of Mexico), and Lázaro Cárdenas (army officer and President of Mexico).
You can see their names at the bases of the pillars. But don’t get your hopes up, you cannot visit the crypts.
Gift Shop
Even if you don’t visit the Monument itself, you might want to swing by the gift shop. They have some cool revolution and Adelitas swag (think mugs, t-shirts) that you won’t find anywhere else.
Plaza de la República
The Monument to the Revolution is smack dab in the middle of the Plaza de la República. There are always plenty of vendors with souvenirs and snacks.
There are also special events taking place there regularly. When we were there most recently, there was a huge book festival taking place. And later at night, a large group of bicyclists were meeting for Paseo de Todos, basically their version of Bike Party (always the last Thursday of the month, around 8 or 9pm).
Even if you choose to just come look at the Monument and not go up, there is plenty of activity in the Plaza.
Bonus: National Museum of the Revolution
If your visit to the Monument leaves you craving more information about the Mexican Revolution, then you are in luck. The National Museum of the Revolution is located right in the basement!
It is a whole different operation and requires a separate ticket from a different ticket booth. Just know that the information in the museum is mostly in Spanish, although you can still appreciate the artifacts if you don’t speak Spanish.
For more information on the Museo de la Revolución, check out Turbulent Times: Exploring Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de la Revolución.
Planning Your Visit
A visit to the Monument of the Revolution should take you 1-2 hours. You can visit day or night, which is cool. Other than on Sundays, the Monument doesn’t actually open until noon. If you want the best of all worlds, plan your visit for sunset.
Cost
You can purchase tickets on site or online in advance.
Individual tickets (Acceso Completo/Complete Access) are MX$150 and include access to the foundations, panoramic elevator, 360 observation deck, the summit, and exhibitions.
There is a MX$110 happy hour option for the first 50 people of the day, but it does not include the foundations or exhibitions. Honestly the best part is upstairs anyway, so if you are on a budget this is a great option.
If you have friends or family, they also offer combo pack for three people (MX$400) and five people (MX$600).
Hours
The Monument is open every day of the week. Just note that it has a later open and close time than most other museums.
Monday-Thursday: 12pm – 8pm
Friday-Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday: 10am – 8pm
It’s definitely worth checking out at night, either from the bottom or the top.
Photographs
You can take photographs throughout the monument. According to the posted rules, you cannot bring a professional camera (or spare lenses!) or a tripod, and no videos are allowed. Get ready for some epic views from the top!
Bags
No bags or backpacks are allowed (although they did let me in with my small cloth shoulder bag). You have to check your bags right after the ticket window.
Information
There are information panels throughout the museum in both Spanish and English.
Accessibility
While you can go up the main elevator in a wheelchair, there are a lot of areas that will not be accessible. Strollers are not allowed. Once you get to dome structure there are a lot of stairs up and down, and some tight spaces. Those with claustrophobia or fear of heights might find it challenging to visit.
Getting There
The Plaza de la República stop on Metrobus Linea 1 is the closest public transit to the Monument to the Revolution.
There are also several Metro stops nearby, in order of proximity:
- Revolución (blue Linea 2)
- Juarez (mustard Linea 3)
The Monument to the Revolution is a 30-minute walk west of the Zocalo, or 15 minutes (4 stops) on Metro Linea 2.
Reflections
As far as I am concerned, the Monument to the Revolution is a must-visit on your trip to Mexico City (as long as you are not afraid of heights or tight spaces). It has a great combination of history and architecture. And, of course, views of the city.
It will take your breath away!
