Location

History and Significance

"Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso"

El Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso was established in 1558 as a prestigious Jesuit boarding school and currently is a museum and cultural center in Mexico City, considered to be the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement. After the Reform War, San Ildefonso gained educational prestige again as National Preparatory School. This school and the building closed completely in 1978, then reopened as a museum and cultural center in 1992. The museum has permanent and temporary art and archeological exhibitions in addition to the many murals painted on its walls by José Clemente Orozco, Fernando Leal, Diego Rivera and others. The complex is located between San Ildefonso Street and Justo Sierra Street in the historic center of Mexico City.