House of the First Print Shop in the Americas, Colonial printing museum in Historic Center, Mexico City.
The House of the First Print Shop in the Americas is a restored colonial building in Mexico City's Historic Center that contains exhibition rooms, a bookstore, and conference spaces. The structure blends modern museum functions with its original spatial layout from the early colonial period.
Juan Pablos operated the first printing press of the Americas from 1539 in this building, producing around 35 books before operations ended in 1560. The operation was made possible by a royal permit from Spanish King Carlos V for this pioneering venture.
The building displays early printed works, including the first catechism in both Spanish and Nahuatl from the colonial period. These materials show how printing helped bridge knowledge between different cultures in this era.
The museum is located at the intersection of Moneda and Licenciado Primo Verdad streets and operates under the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Visitors should note that as an academic institution, opening times may vary throughout the year.
Archaeological excavations beneath the building revealed an Aztec stone serpent head buried roughly one meter below ground level. This discovery directly connects the layers of pre-Hispanic and colonial settlement at this location.
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