Table of Contents
Introduction
Tucked within the storied grounds of Chapultepec, where emperors once strolled and revolutionaries stood their ground, lies a lesser-known but no less remarkable chapter in the city’s history—the birth of the Natural Museum of History. This institution, originally envisioned in the 19th century, was not just a display hall of curiosities—it was Mexico’s first true attempt to capture, study, and celebrate the complexity of the natural world.
Created in a time of political turbulence and national reinvention, the museum stood as a beacon of learning amid the ruins of empire and the rising hopes of a new republic. From rare fossils and geological specimens to indigenous seeds, maps, and manuscripts, its collections told the story of Mexico’s lands, peoples, and creatures in a way no one had attempted before.
But beyond its exhibits, the Natural Museum of History represented something greater: a commitment to science, education, and cultural identity. It laid the intellectual groundwork for modern institutions like the INAH and the National Museum of Anthropology, and its legacy still echoes through the galleries of Chapultepec Castle today.
Chapultepec: A Sacred Hill with Millennia of History
Before a single stone of the castle was laid, the hill of Chapultepec was already sacred ground. Archaeological evidence shows that its slopes were inhabited as early as 3,000 years ago by pre-Hispanic peoples, including Teotihuacanos, Toltecs, and eventually the Mexicas (Aztecs).
Chapultepec—meaning “Hill of the Grasshopper” in Nahuatl—became both a spiritual center and a strategic water source for the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, thanks to its springs. It was also used as an astronomical observatory, and housed temples to gods like Tlaloc.
Colonial Origins: The Viceroys’ Summer Retreat
After the Spanish conquest, the hill was claimed as public property by decree of Emperor Charles V in 1530. It quickly became a favorite retreat for New Spain’s viceroys. By 1590, Viceroy Luis de Velasco had commissioned a pleasure palace at the base of the hill. This was used for royal hunting parties and lavish celebrations until an 18th-century gunpowder explosion destroyed it.
In 1785, Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez began building a new palace atop the hill. Though he died before completion, the city acquired the building in 1806, saving it from auction and private hands.
A Fortress, Then a Battlefield
During Mexico’s independence war (1810–1821), the building was abandoned. But in 1833, the government transformed it into the Colegio Militar, Mexico’s national military academy.
Its most dramatic moment came on September 13, 1847, during the Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican–American War. Six cadets—now known as the Niños Héroes—refused to retreat and died defending the castle, becoming national martyrs.
Imperial Dreams and Maximilian’s Makeover
The abandoned building took on a new life in 1864, when Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg and Empress Carlota made it the official Palacio Imperial de Chapultepec, inspired by their European roots. The castle was renamed “Miravalle” and underwent a grand transformation with help from architect Ramón Rodríguez Arangoity.
Maximilian added neoclassical features, Italianate gardens, and commissioned artworks like “Las Bacantes” by Santiago Rebull. The emperor also ordered the construction of Paseo de la Reforma, modeled after the great boulevards of Europe, to connect the castle with the heart of the city.
From Dictatorship to Revolution
After the fall of the empire, the castle served as the summer residence of presidents like Porfirio Díaz. Under his rule, the castle was modernized with electricity, elevators, and even hosted Mexico’s first cinema screening in 1896.
It also briefly became home to the National Observatory in 1878, helping Mexico join the global effort to observe the Transit of Venus.
During the Mexican Revolution, the castle sheltered leaders such as Madero, Carranza, and Obregón. New structures like fountains, pergolas, and monuments were added during this turbulent era.
The Natural Museum of History is Born
In 1939, President Lázaro Cárdenas designated the castle as a site of national heritage and assigned it to the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH). It was restored and repurposed between 1941 and 1944, and on September 27, 1944, President Manuel Ávila Camacho inaugurated the Natural Museum of History within Chapultepec Castle.
Inside the Museum: 30 Rooms of Living Memory
The museum’s rooms are laid out like a chronological walk through Mexican history:
1. From Pre-Hispanic Origins to the Spanish Conquest
Discover early civilizations, the formation of Mesoamerican societies, and the clash with Europe.
2. Colonial Mexico (1521–1821)
Learn about the creation of New Spain, the merging of Indigenous, African, and European cultures, and the impact of colonization.
3. Independence and Early Nationhood (1810–1867)
Follow the turbulent fight for independence and the experiments in monarchy and republic.
4. Porfirismo to Revolution (1867–1910)
Explore the industrial rise and social inequalities that sparked the revolution.
5. The 20th Century (1910–…)
Trace Mexico’s modern evolution, from Carranza’s Constitution to post-revolutionary rebuilding.
The Murals: History on Every Wall
Some of Mexico’s greatest muralists contributed to the museum:
- Juan O’Gorman’s Retablo de la Independencia
- David Alfaro Siqueiros’ Del Porfirismo a la Revolución
- José Clemente Orozco’s La Reforma y la caída del Imperio
- Gabriel Flores’ La intervención norteamericana
- Jorge González Camarena’s La Constitución de 1917
These murals offer vibrant, sometimes raw depictions of war, injustice, revolution, and national identity.
How to Visit the Natural Museum of History
- 📍 Location: Inside Chapultepec Castle, First Section of Chapultepec Park
- 🕘 Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- 🎟️ Admission: Approx. $100 pesos (free on Sundays for Mexican residents)
- 🚇 Closest Metro: Chapultepec (Line 1)
Pro tip: Arrive early to enjoy the gardens and murals without the crowds.
From Sacred Hill to National Memory
The Natural Museum of History is more than a collection of rooms—it’s a living story. From Aztec astronomy to imperial intrigue and revolutionary ideals, Chapultepec Castle holds the very essence of Mexico’s soul.
Whether you’re a history buff or a casual traveler, the museum invites you to walk through centuries of struggle, identity, and pride—all under one glorious roof.