Archivo General de la Nación, National archives in Mexico City, Mexico.
The Archivo General de la Nación is Mexico's national archives facility located in Mexico City, housed in the former Lecumberri Palace with roughly 52 kilometers of historical documents, photographs, maps, and governmental records. The collection spans from colonial times to the present day.
The institution was founded in 1790 under King Charles IV of Spain to preserve the administrative records of New Spain. It became a turning point in Mexico's approach to preserving its national memory during the twentieth century.
The archive holds extensive photograph collections, including works by photographer Guillermo Kahlo and colonial-era documents. The rooms reflect Mexico's long journey from conquest through modern times.
Researchers and visitors can access the archives Monday through Friday at the facility on Avenida Ingeniero Eduardo Molina. It helps to check in advance about specific access conditions, as some collections may require registration or permission to view.
The building served as a prison until 1977 before undergoing a five-year renovation to become Mexico's central repository of national documents. This transformation from a place of confinement to a home for the nation's memory gives the site special historical meaning.
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