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Cosmovitral – panorama 2012. Image by Octavio Alonso Maya –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Cosmovitral Jardin Botanico

The building in which the Toluca Botanical Garden Cosmovitral is currently located originally housed the September 16 Market in the city of Toluca. Its construction began on February 22, 1909, to commemorate the centenary of the independence of Mexico.

The building was originally designed as a market place but in 1975, it was decided to turn it into a botanical garden. The Cosmovitral is one of the most significant monumental artworks in Toluca. It was made by Mexican artist Leopoldo Flores, and consists of 3000 square meters, being the largest non-religious glass stained window in the world.

The guided tours of the botanical garden will take you to see this monumental work that represents the dualities of cosmic forces including day and night, life and death, and, creation and destruction. The garden is also home to a great diversity of national and foreign flora that provides a site of unparalleled beauty.

1. CosmoVitral Jardin Botanico has the largest non-religious glass mural

The glass mural at Cosmovitral and Botanical Garden. Image by jc_castaneda –

The glass mural being the work of Leopoldo Flores, with an art Nouveau style in its structure, the Cosmovitral is a must-see site in Toluca, since it is one of the iconic buildings of the capital of Mexico State. It consists of 3000 square meters, having the record for being the largest non-religious glass mural globally. The mural consists of 71 stained glass modules, weighing a total of 75 tons,25 tons of lead structure, 45 tons of blown glass, and 5 tons of metal supports.    

2. The Garden has more than 500 plant species

Panoramic view of the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden. Image by Cesarchicharo –

The botanical garden contains over 500 plant species from both Mexico and around the world. In the center is a bust of Eizi Matuda, a Japanese scientist who is known for his research into the flora of Mexico. He was able to classify more than 6000 species of plants that were scattered across Mexico State. What was done for Eizi Matuda is quite significant because it was a way to thank him for his great works in helping the Mexicans in general understand their environment.

3. Its glass mural was a concept derived from a novel

Leopoldo Flores’, the artist who led the construction of the glass mural, had described this artistic concept in a novel for Mexico. He described it as a mural done in multiple panels and using stained glass to take advantage of the window spaces that surround the upper parts of the building and its eastern and western parts.

4. It has a special glass mural

Leopoldo Flores and sixty artisans worked from 1978 to 1980 to create more than 3,200 square meters of stained glass art that surrounds the walls and ceilings at the Cosmovitral. Image by
Lexaxis7 –

The main attraction of this artistic place is the Sun Man. It is a Leonardo Da Vinci-like appearance of a male superimposed on a solar motif. It is located on the Western side of the building on the ground level. It is not only the most impressive and easily accessed of Flores’ panels year-round.

5. The Sun Man mural has an impressive effect on the equinox

Fountain in the Cosmovitral. Image by jc_castaneda –

This is probably one of the best sceneries on earth. During the days before and after the equinoxes. The setting sun aligns itself with the torso of the artwork’s male figure, appearing to set the whole work ablaze. The mural is able to give off red and blue light beams that light up the garden providing a spectacular view for the people present there. It is a site to see for those who admire the great works of Flores and his team.

6. The entire mural is a depiction of a man’s life

Cosmovitral Toluca at night. Image by M. Campodonico –

Though not known by many, the entire art piece visually narrates the story of a man and his relationship to the universe, hence its name Cosmovitral (‘Glass Cosmos’). The artwork clearly describes the dualities and antagonism of cosmic forces like day and night, life and death, and, creation and destruction. An image of the sun is placed on the east side, with the north side of the building having blue hues dominate. The south side is dominated by brighter colors.

7.  The CosmoVitral Jardin Botanico hosts a concert every equinox

Owl stained glass window in Botanical Garden “Cosmovitral” in Toluca, State of Mexico. Image by Omar Yañez Muñoz –

The beautiful scenery where the sun shines on the Sun Man on both equinoxes has made the garden organize a concert to commemorate it. The best spectacle of this periphery lasts about 20 minutes when the sun is directly above the mural. During this time, there is a classical music concert planned out specifically for it. Due to the limited amount of seats available in the garden, the event is normally highly anticipated and very difficult to see in person. The Spring equinox in March is more popular than the one in fall September.

8. It is known to host several events

A view of the magnificent stained glass inside the Cosmovitral, Toluca, Mexico. Image by Lexaxis7 –

It is quite an unusual situation to find such a nice botanical garden hosting an event. Most of them are reserved and only offer event hosting services to the few ‘nobles’ who are able to match the financial weight of renting the place. However, this is not the situation at the Cosmovitral Botanico, here the garden is available for all to rent and hosts their events. They offer rental services for as low as $500 for events such as weddings and photo portraits.

9. It was built on the grounds of a former market

Cosmovitral, Toluca de Lerdo, State of Mexico, Mexico. Image by TolucaCity –

Interestingly, this garden was built on the same ground that once belonged to the September 16 Market of Toluca. The market was constructed on February 22, 1909, to commemorate 100 years of independent Mexico. The market was the only one in Toluca. The market was closed down in 1975 and the mayor of Toluca decided to turn it into a botanical museum. From then on, the building was restructured to meet the standards required to harbor the Cosmovitral glass mural.     

10. Materials used in the construction of the glass were imported

Cosmovitral, looking towards the origin of good and evil. Image by ed_devilinside –

The glass mural was constructed in 15 months between 1978 and 1980. Leopoldo Flores worked as the chief artist of the project and spent a whole year studying and developing the plot and working out the engineering issues. He then worked on the project together with sixty artisans and engineers to make the Cosmovitral a reality.