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Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Museo Soumaya

Museo Soumaya Loreto Entrada by Edson Joan/

The Museo Soumaya, designed by the Mexican architect Fernando Romero, is a private museum in Mexico City.

It is a non-profit cultural institution with two museum buildings in Mexico City – Plaza Carso and Plaza Loreto.

Since it opened in 2011, the Soumaya Museum has quickly become one of the most iconic museums in Mexico City.

The Museo Soumaya, financed by Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico, has the ambitions of the Guggenheim Bilbao from the outside.

Marvel at thousands of works of art at Museo Soumaya and explore the world-class National Museum of Anthropology for an up-close view of the region鈥檚 fascinating cultural history.

1. The remarkable Museum is filled with a private collection 

The lobby of the museum by Mark Hogan

One outstanding museum with two separate locations is the Museo Soumaya. This private art museum is owned and managed by telephone mogul Carlos Slim.

The museum is filled with his private collection and is best known for its modern, innovative architecture at the Plaza Carso location in the Nuevo Polanco area.

The museum is named after Soumaya Domit, who died in 1999, and was the wife of the founder of the museum Carlos Slim.

The distinctive architecture of the Soumaya Museum building at Plaza Carso is a major highlight in itself.

2. The most striking museum in the world is the astonishing Soumaya museum in Mexico

Soumaya Museum CDMX by Callipso/

One of the most recognized venues in Mexico City is the Soumaya Museum; located next to the Inbursa Aquarium and the Jumex Museum.

It has been defined as the most striking museum in the world thanks to its asymmetrical architecture and bright finishes composed of thousands of aluminum hexagons.

If you are an art passionate, you like art history, and want to spend an unforgettable day, be sure to visit this museum.

The Soumaya Museum has three enclosures in Mexico City, one is located in the Plaza Loreto.

The other is located in Plaza Carso and the last in the House of Guillermo Tovar de Teresa.

3. Both the amazing Plazas are open seven days a week from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm and its free

Admission to the Soumaya Museum is free for all visitors, Visitors explore the museum via a spiral ramp and elevators that connect six thematic floors.

Both the Plaza Loreto and the Plaza Carso locations are open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Guided school tours, family and special groups, guided tours in English, conferences, courses, and diplomas.

They are workshops for the general public, scenic and cultural events, and activities for reflection and interpretation.

The museum has special accommodations for those people with disabilities and seniors.

4. They are different options to reach the fascinating Soumaya museum one can use a bus

If you’re going to the Soumaya Museum, you’re probably heading to the Plaza Carso location in the Polanco neighborhood.

If you’re comfortable navigating Mexico City’s bus system, there’s a bus stop right in front of the museum’s entrance.

Another option for getting to the Museo Soumaya Museum is to sign up for the city-wide bike share program, known as EcoBici.

You can also take the metro to the Polanco station, but it’s about a 25-minute walk from the station to the museum.

5. The exquisite architecture of the museum is covered with 16,000 hexagonal aluminum tiles

Soumaya Museum by Juan Barrios/

This six-story building is covered with 16,000 hexagonal aluminum tiles, which is perhaps a modern take on the city’s traditional colonial ceramic-tiled building facades.

The reflective quality gives the building a different appearance depending on the weather, time of day, and the viewer鈥檚 vantage point.

The overall shape is amorphous and the architect describes it as a rotated rhomboid and some have suggested it alludes to the shape of a woman’s neck.

The interior of the building is somewhat reminiscent of the Guggenheim Museum in New York with its white circular ramps that travel from top to bottom.

6. The remarkable Museo Soumaya is owned by Carlos Slim Helu 

Museo Soumaya is the lovechild of Carlos Slim Helu, a Mexican entrepreneur and one of the world鈥檚 richest men.

Open in 2011, it houses 66,000 pieces from Slim鈥檚 extensive collection. The enormous collection includes pre-Hispanic and colonial coins, Mexican murals, and modernist paintings by Picasso and Miro.

The largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of France. Nevertheless, the museum houses predominately Central American and European art.

It covers 170,000 square feet of space and stands six stories high. The shiny building in Mexico City鈥檚 exclusive Polanco district cost $70 million to build.

7. One of Soumaya鈥檚 undeniable must-see fascinating collections is the Rodin artwork and sculpture

Miguel 脕ngel Buonarroti’s Piet脿 bronze replica at Museo Soumaya by Michelangelo/Wikimedia Commons

One of Soumaya鈥檚 undeniable must-sees is the vast collection of Rodin artwork and sculpture.

His famed The Thinker and The Gates of Hell can be found in the foyer, whereas the majority of Slim鈥檚 Rodin collection is housed on the sixth floor.

Similarly, the museum is home to plenty of Rivera pieces that can be enjoyed permanently.

One of the must-sees is his final mural, known as R铆o Juchit谩n, on display in the foyer of Plaza Carso.

The museum鈥檚 most expensive piece of art is the Madonna of the Yarnwinder, painted by a member of the Leonardo da Vinci circle.

8. The interesting Loma Linda restaurant is characterized by excellent cuisine

From its beginning in 1924, Loma Linda has been characterized by excellent service and exceptional cuisine.

Loma Linda is an undeniable tradition, having served many generations who have enjoyed dining at our tables.

Enjoy perfectly cooked ribeye, mixed grill, and laing at Loma Linda when you happen to be near it.

The wine list is extensive, every guest can find something that satisfies their taste. A selection of delicious cortado or great lemonade is provided to visitors.

9. The amazing Hotel Atleza Polanco is the best place to stay in Mexico 

Equipped suites in the best location, in exclusive Polanco, just 19 km from the Benito Juarez International Airport.

Alteza Polanco is a 7-minute drive from the Citibanamex Center and a 10-minute walk from the Antara Shopping Center, as well as the Inbursa Aquarium and the Jumex and Soumaya Museums.

Close to the Financial Districts, the best Restaurants, Museums, Boutiques, and Shopping Centers for shopping in Mexico City.

10. The astonishing Museo Soumaya Museum was initially located at the Plaza Loreto

Iconic from the moment it was opened in 1994, Museo Soumaya is a catch-all term for two separate buildings both designed by famed architect Fernando Romero.

The original location was Plaza Loreto, situated on the site of what was once Spanish conquistador Hern谩n C贸rtes鈥� encomienda in the south of the city.

Although in 2011 the main collection of the Plaza Loreto site was moved to the newly developed Plaza Carso location in Polanco.