This museum is the fruit of the efforts of German-born Franz Mayer. Prospering as a financier in his adopted Mexico, Mayer amassed the collection of Mexican silver, ceramics, textiles and furniture now on display. Look out for the annual World Press Photo (worldpressphoto.org) exhibition held here between late July and late September.

The exhibit halls open onto a sumptuous colonial-era patio where you can grab a bite at the excellent Cloister Café.

The museum occupies the old church and hospice of the San Juan de Dios order, which under the brief reign of Maximilian became a halfway house for prostitutes.

Transportation

  • metro: Bellas Artes

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Iglesia de la Santa Veracruz

0.02 MILES

Originally constructed in 1586, this church was rebuilt in the 18th century and now houses the Museo Franz Mayer. It features two doors in Mexican baroque…

2. Museo Nacional de la Estampa

0.05 MILES

Devoted to the graphic arts, this museum has thematic exhibits, such as Zapata through contemporary images, from its collection of more than 12,000 prints…

3. Alameda Central

0.11 MILES

Created in the late 1500s by mandate of then-viceroy Luis de Velasco, the Alameda took its name from the álamos (poplars) planted over its rectangular…

4. Hemiciclo a Juárez

0.16 MILES

A large white semi-circular monument to Benito Juárez on one edge of Alameda Central. It's a popular photo spot for people in graduation or bridal garb –…

5. Palacio de Bellas Artes

0.17 MILES

Immense murals by world-famous Mexican artists dominate the top floors of this splendid white-marble palace – a concert hall and arts center commissioned…

6. Museo Nacional de Arquitectura

0.19 MILES

A museum within the Palacio de Bellas Artes that features changing exhibits on contemporary architecture and retrospectives such as the buildings of the…

7. Laboratorio de Arte Alameda

0.2 MILES

As is often the case with museums in the centro, the 17th-century former convent building that contains the Laboratorio de Arte Alameda is at least as…

8. Palacio Postal

0.21 MILES

More than just Mexico City’s central post office, this golden palace built in 1907 is an Italianate confection designed by the Palacio de Bellas Artes’…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "mexico/mexico-city/alameda-central/attractions/museo-franz-mayer/a/poi-sig/375727/1342811",
      "position": "superzone"
    }