Toluca, the capital of the State of Mexico (less than an hour’s drive from Mexico City), boasts the most museums in the country after Mexico City! We will explore the downtown area on foot, visiting murals, museums, churches and an ex-Convent.
The country’s highest city at 8,800 feet above sea level is not considered a tourist destination but we will prove them wrong. Of particularly interest is the Cosmovitral, the world’s largest stained glass atrium, which tells the story of mankind and the duality of nature in an impressive art nouveau building which also boasts an expansive botanical garden. It is such an impressive site that it was chosen as the backdrop for the North American Summit in 2018 (attended by Obama, Harper and Peña Nieto).
Within walking distance, the Museum of Fine Arts, once a seventeenth century Carmelite Convent, houses an eclectic collection of viceregal and modern artwork, including paintings, sculptures and decorative pieces. Then there are the many murals grace the walls of the city’s government buildings surrounding the main square. There are several small museums worth a visit as well: the Nishizawa Museum, the Jose Velasco Museum, the Felipe Gutierrez Museum and many others, depending on your particular interests.
There is also the nearby Mexico State Cultural Center with three contiguous museums on its campus – all quite impressive and well worth viewing – the State of Mexico’s Anthropology Museum, its Modern Art Museum and a Popular Arts Museum, each showcasing outstanding pieces from the region.
Toluca is less than an hour away from Mexico City. Let us plan a cultural tour that will leave you in awe of the city!