A World Heritage Site, this immense complex was established in 1791 as a hospital, almshouse, orphanage and workhouse. With a large rectangular footprint, it has the same kind of format as Madrid’s El Escorial or Les Invalides in Paris.
Something interesting about Hospicio Cabañas is that everything is laid out on one level, to make it easier for the infirm, elderly and children to get around.
The man behind the design was the Mexico City architect Manuel Tolsá who embellished the complex with balustrades and arcades around 23 courtyards.
If there’s one thing to look out for, it’s the series of frescoes by José Clemente Orozco, culminating with “Man of Fire” in the dome, painted in 1936-39.