Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público

The Museo de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público is an art museum in the Historic Center of Mexico City housed in a colonial building featuring two courtyards framed by stone columns. It displays Mexican artworks from different centuries within this notable historical structure near the National Palace.

The building was founded in 1530 by Friar Juan de Zumárraga and stands on the remains of a pyramid dedicated to the deity Tezcatlipoca. This layering reflects how Mexico's architectural history developed through the merging of pre-Hispanic and colonial elements.

The collection features works by artists such as Juan Correa, Rufino Tamayo, and Raúl Anguiano representing different periods of Mexican art. You can trace how artistic styles and approaches evolved across centuries within these walls.

The museum is free to enter and open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, allowing visitors to explore exhibits at their own pace. Its central location makes it easy to reach on foot, especially when visiting other sites in the Historic Center.

A distinctive feature is the Pago en Especie program, which has allowed artists since 1957 to contribute artworks in place of taxes. This unusual system shows a unique Mexican way of how government and artistic community work together.