Palacio de la Autonomía
The Palacio de la Autonomía (Autonomy Palace) is a museum and site where the
Description
This building was constructed during the Porfirio Díaz period and belongs to the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.[1] The architecture of the building is considered to be eclectic, built of white stone brought from Pachuca, and a facade accentuated by a triangular pediment with a relief and foliage. Part of the building’s foundation lies on wall that surrounded the sacred plaza of the Templo Mayor.[1][2]
History
The site has a history of over 500 years.[3] After the Conquest, Hernán Cortés distributed areas in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. This space was reserved for Luis de Rivera, the first representative of the Casa de Moneda (coin mint) in New Spain.[2] Next, the area became part of the Santa Teresa la Antigua convent and after it was closed by the Reform Laws, the building here became housing.[2][3] This property was then acquired by the government of Porfirio Díaz, which constructed the current building in the early 20th century.[1][3] It was the site of the Escuela Normal de Maestros (Teachers’ College), then part of the Universidad Nacional de México, today Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 1910.[2]
As part of UNAM, the building functioned as the dean’s offices.
Museo de la Autonomía Universitaria
A group of dentists organized a campaign to reconstruct the building in the early 2000s.[3] Today, the building functions as a museum called the Museo de la Autonomía Universitaria (University Autonomy Museum) and is also commonly called the Palacio de la Autonomía (Autonomy Palace).[2] The Universidad Nacional de México gained autonomy, free from direct government control of the curriculum, in 1929. This autonomy is considered to be extremely important to Mexican public universities. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the event in 2004, the building was given its current name. The museum holds the Hall of Mexican Dentistry, a temporary exhibit hall, and archeological exhibit, and is the site of the university radio station UNAM-FM.[2] It contains archives related to the major players in the university’s struggle to gain autonomy.[3] There have been windows built into the foundation to allow visitors to see remnants of the old convent.[2]
References
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- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l José Carlos Aviña (December 16, 2007). "Palacio de la Autonomía, uno de los edificios más hermosos del Centro Histórico" [The Autonomy Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in the Historic Center]. El Sol de México (in Spanish). Mexico City.
- ^ a b c d e f g Carlos Aviña (February 19, 2007). "Posee el Palacio de la Autonomía una historia de 500 años" [Autonomy Palace possesses a history of 500 years]. El Sol de México (in Spanish). Mexico City.
