Calle Madero (Madero Street), Mexico City
Francisco I. Madero Avenue, commonly known as simply Madero Street (Calle Madero), is a major thoroughfare in the historic center of Mexico City. This was one of the first streets to be laid out by the Spaniards in the 16th century, following the destruction of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán.
The street was originally called San Francisco Street, after the church and monastery here. Later, three sections of it each had their own name. The Western half was called "First and Second Street of San Francisco". The section further East was known as "Profesa street" after the Temple of San Felipe Neri (commonly known as "La Profesa") there, and the section between Isabel la Católica street and the Zócalo was known as "Silversmith's road" (Calle de Plateros) after the silver jewelry workshops and stores established in that area in the 17th century.
The street's current name honors one of the key figures of the Mexican Revolution – Francisco I. Madero, who briefly served as the president of the country before his assassination in 1913. Francisco "Pancho" Villa, the revolution general, who fixed a plaque with the new street name for the first time in 1914, announced that whoever dared to remove it would be shot!
From the very beginning, the street was one of the most popular and busiest roads. The centrality of its location, both geographically and culturally, made it the most desirable destination to live in.
Among the key standouts here are: the 18th-century Palace of Iturbide, the vestige of the brief reign of the self-proclaimed emperor of Mexico, Agustín de Iturbide; the 16th-century Church of San Francisco – once part of the largest convent in New Spain; the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper; and the unmistakably iconic, blue-and-white-tiled House of Tiles.
As of 2009, the street has been pedestrianized. The change proved successful, bringing in crowds of pedestrians, making it a people-watching heaven, and increasing the value of local real estate.
Tip:
For authentic gifts, clothing, and accessories – all made in Mexico, fairly priced, and of adequate quality – check out the hip HAPPENING store at #10C (Open Mon-Fri: 12–8 pm; Sat: 11–8 pm; Sun: 11–6 pm).
The street was originally called San Francisco Street, after the church and monastery here. Later, three sections of it each had their own name. The Western half was called "First and Second Street of San Francisco". The section further East was known as "Profesa street" after the Temple of San Felipe Neri (commonly known as "La Profesa") there, and the section between Isabel la Católica street and the Zócalo was known as "Silversmith's road" (Calle de Plateros) after the silver jewelry workshops and stores established in that area in the 17th century.
The street's current name honors one of the key figures of the Mexican Revolution – Francisco I. Madero, who briefly served as the president of the country before his assassination in 1913. Francisco "Pancho" Villa, the revolution general, who fixed a plaque with the new street name for the first time in 1914, announced that whoever dared to remove it would be shot!
From the very beginning, the street was one of the most popular and busiest roads. The centrality of its location, both geographically and culturally, made it the most desirable destination to live in.
Among the key standouts here are: the 18th-century Palace of Iturbide, the vestige of the brief reign of the self-proclaimed emperor of Mexico, Agustín de Iturbide; the 16th-century Church of San Francisco – once part of the largest convent in New Spain; the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper; and the unmistakably iconic, blue-and-white-tiled House of Tiles.
As of 2009, the street has been pedestrianized. The change proved successful, bringing in crowds of pedestrians, making it a people-watching heaven, and increasing the value of local real estate.
Tip:
For authentic gifts, clothing, and accessories – all made in Mexico, fairly priced, and of adequate quality – check out the hip HAPPENING store at #10C (Open Mon-Fri: 12–8 pm; Sat: 11–8 pm; Sun: 11–6 pm).
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Mexico City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Calle Madero (Madero Street) on Map
Sight Name: Calle Madero (Madero Street)
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Mexico City, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Mexico City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Mexico City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Mexico City is the oldest capital in the Americas and is one of the two founded by indigenous people. Originally known as Mexico Tenochtitlan, the city was built by the Mexicas (aka Aztecs) in 1325. According to a legend, the Mexicas' principal god, Huitzilopochtli, pointed out the site of the future settlement with an image of a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Zona Rosa Walking Tour
Zona Rosa, or "Pink Zone" in English, is a vibrant neighborhood near the historic center of the Mexican capital which is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural scene. The neighborhood's name comes from the pink-colored tiles abundantly used to pave the local streets.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Chapultepec Park Walking Tour
Nicknamed "the Lungs of Mexico City", Chapultepec Park is a vast oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the Mexican capital, sprawling over 686 hectares of land, providing a vital source of oxygen for the city. Rich in natural beauty, historical landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere, throughout centuries, this park has inspired various works of literature, poetry, and visual art, further... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Historic Center Food Tour
A combination of history and tradition in Mexico City permeates all aspects of life, including food. For centuries, food and drink have been an inseparable part of the city's culture. Within Mexico City's bustling historic center, you can find a variety of culinary gems that offer a taste of what we call diverse Mexican cuisine.
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Coyoacan District Walking Tour
Translated from the Nahuatle language as “The Land of Coyotes”, Coyoacán is a relatively quiet neighborhood in the southern part of Mexico City. Formerly a rural village, over the years Coyoacán has become a rich pocket of art and history in the capital, closely associated with some iconic figures of the 20th century and the tumultuous times in which they lived.
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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