The formidable compound now known as ‘The Citadel’ started off as a tobacco factory in the late 18th century, though it’s best known as the scene of the Decena Trágica (Tragic Ten Days), the coup that brought down the Madero government in 1913. Today it's home to the Biblioteca de México. Locals use its name interchangeably for the Centro de Artesanías La Ciudadela across the plaza, where vendors sell a wide array of crafts from around Mexico.

Centro de la Imagen, the city’s photography museum, is at the Calle Balderas entrance.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Centro de la Imagen

0.03 MILES

The Centro de la Imagen is the city’s photography museum. The small, innovatively designed space stages compelling exhibitions, often focusing on…

2. Biblioteca de México

0.04 MILES

Mexico City's mega-library holds over 500,000 volumes and an extensive maps collection. Design and architecture fans should visit just to witness the…

3. Museo de Arte Popular

0.39 MILES

A major showcase for folk art, this is a colorful museum that even kids love. Crafts are thematically displayed from all over Mexico, including carnival…

4. Museo Memoria y Tolerancia

0.46 MILES

A mazelike, unique museum of 55 halls dedicated to preserving the memory of genocide victims. The multimedia exhibit chronicles crimes committed against…

5. Plaza Juárez

0.5 MILES

Representing the new face of the Alameda zone, the row of chain restaurants, bars, stores and a Hilton hotel facing the park resembles an outdoor shopping…

6. El Caballito

0.5 MILES

A couple of blocks west of the Alameda Central is El Caballito, a yellow representation of a horse's head unveiled in 1992 by the sculptor Sebastián. It…

7. Mundo Chocolate Museum

0.51 MILES

A beautifully restored 1909 building houses Mundo Chocolate, a museum and store known as MUCHO celebrating all things chocolate. The permanent exhibit…

8. Museo Mural Diego Rivera

0.52 MILES

This museum is home to one of Diego Rivera’s most famous works, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the…