National Autonomous University of Mexico, Public research university in Mexico City, Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a public research university in Mexico City with several campuses, the main one being Ciudad Universitaria, which contains faculty buildings, research centers and green spaces. The site extends over a broad area with structures built from volcanic rock, open plazas and a central library whose exterior walls are covered with enormous mosaics.
The university was founded in 1910 by Justo Sierra as an alternative to the colonial Real y Pontificia Universidad de México and began operating after years of political upheaval. The current main campus was built in the 1950s when the university moved from the city center to a new architectural project south of the city.
The campus operates like a small city with students sitting on lawns between classes, eating in cafeterias and walking through plazas decorated with large-scale murals. The library and several museums also attract visitors from outside who come to see public collections and exhibitions.
The main campus is open to the public during daytime hours and visitors can walk through outdoor areas to see the architecture and artworks even if they are not enrolled. Some museums and the central library allow visitors to enter, while academic buildings are usually reserved for students and staff.
The Olympic Stadium on campus was built for the 1968 Olympic Games and still operates today for sporting events. The grounds also include an active nature reserve with volcanic rock formations that people use for hiking and observing local plants.
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