Francisco I. Madero Esplanade

The Francisco I. Madero Esplanade is a historical site on the grounds of the Los Pinos Cultural Complex on the edge of Chapultepec Park. When Los Pinos was still the presidential residence (1934-2018), the site was frequently used for State and International events. These included, especially, meetings with visiting heads of state. Because it’s thematically related to the events of the Mexican Revolution, the site has also been used for awards ceremonies and commemorations related to that field of cultural and historical inquiry.

Construction of the esplanade took place under President Miguel de la Madrid who’s term ran from 1982 through 1988. The building named for him, the Casa Miguel de la Madrid, was used for cabinet meetings in the past. Today it hosts short- to medium-term exhibitions of art.

The 32 flags of the Mexican states surround the esplanade today. It feels a bit more like a sub-park, or part of the bigger park, which indeed it is. As a quiet refuge off the sometimes crowded street of Molino del Rey, it’s a very pleasant, contemplative space.