Monument to the Revolution — Attraction in Mexico City

The monument of the revolution has a very interesting museum in the basement, that shows the scale and architectural plans of the original legislative palace, that was supposed to be build there! The building was initially planned during the regime of president Porfirio Díaz and "was intended as the unequaled monument to Porfirian glory."[1] The building would hold the deputies and senators congress chambers, but the project was not finished due to the war of Mexican Revolution. 25 years later, the old structure was converted into a monument to the Mexican Revolution by Mexican architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia. The monument is considered the tallest triumphal arch in the world, it stands 67 metres (220 ft) in height.

The project was planned in 1897, and the government allocated 5 million pesos for its construction. Since the building was a major public project, there was a competition to design it, but no contender was given the first prize. After numerous scandals for the competition and its conditions, the government of Porfirio Díaz appointed a French architect, Émile Bénard to design and construct the palace. The government's selection of a Frenchman as architect, who produced a neoclassical design with "characteristic touches of the French renaissance,"points to government officials' aim to demonstrate Mexico's rightful place as an advanced nation. Díaz laid the first stone in 1910 during the centennial celebrations of Independence, when Díaz also inaugurated the Monument to Mexican Independence ("The Angel of Independence"). The bulding structure was constructed with iron and rather than local Mexican materials used in the stone façade, the design called for Italian marble and...

Unveiled in 1938, this monument contains the tombs of the revolutionary and post-revolutionary heroes Pancho Villa, Francisco Madero, Venustiano Carranza, Plutarco Elías Calles and Lázaro Cárdenas. The star today is the 65m-high summit paseo linternilla accessed by glass elevator and opening to a spiraling staircase that ascends to a round terrace with a panoramic view of the city. Below it is the equally impressive, though not as tall, 360 observation deck, which is as high as you can go without the all-access pass.

You can also access the skeleton of the structure in the 1910 Structure Galleries, and there is an interesting basement art gallery, the Paseo Cimentación, where you can check out temporary art exhibitions amid a labyrinth of gigantic steel beams that serve as the structure's foundation.

Underlying the plaza and monument, the spruced-up Museo Nacional de la Revolución covers a 63-year period, from the implementation of the constitution guaranteeing human rights in 1857 to the installation of the post-revolutionary government in 1920. Explanatory text is in Spanish only. Originally meant to be a legislative chamber, construction of the Monumento a la Revolución was interrupted by the Revolution, and there was talk of demolishing the building, but instead it was modified and given a new role.

Kids love frolicking in the plaza's geyser-like fountains, while at night the monument's renovated architectural features are highlighted by...

The most confused tourist attraction I've ever been to. (More about that later.) The view is nice from the top. In appreciation for the unusual architecture, I went there one sunny afternoon. The original system of two elevators has been replaced by a single glass elevator that goes part way up the center of the building. But it does not go all the way up. There are two more levels to climb to, BUT you have to first walk down some steps and then back up, down-up, down-up. It is very confusing. I don't see any reason to go to the very top level. The view is no different. Once you get to the café level, you have seen the best views. Even the beginning of the tour is extremely confused. You go down through a labyrinth of steel support columns (see the orange and black pictures), for no apparent reason. Then you come up almost the same place you went down for a green screen photo opportunity. The absolute worst part of this confused design is having to squeeze between a stone wall and a curved staircase. (See the image with "03" on the sign. Yes, that little crack between the staircase and the wall leads to another downward staircase, which you have to go down in order to go up. Again, very confusing.) People with mobility problems definitely need to skip this attraction. There are staff at the front who warn you...