Museo Casa Kahlo Now Open in Mexico City
Museo Casa Kahlo, a significant new museum dedicated to the life, legacy, and personal family treasures of Frida Kahlo, is now open on the family’s historic property in Coyoacán, Mexico City.
Located inside Casa Roja, a former private residence acquired by Frida’s mother and donated by Frida’s great-niece, Mara Romeo Kahlo, the museum is surrounded by the historic and culturally rich neighborhood where the family has lived for over 100 years. This opening marks the most significant expansion of the Kahlo family’s cultural footprint in decades.
Museo Casa Kahlo will offer a deeply personal and richly contextual experience – inviting visitors to explore Frida’s formative years and artistic awakening, and the side of her shared only with her family. It explores the intimate relationships that propelled her to becoming one of the most recognized and revered cultural figures of the 20th century and an eternally relevant role model.
Still very much a family home in scale and intimacy, the museum allows guests to explore a variety of private spaces that contain authentic family artifacts alongside exhibition materials. Among them: a preserved kitchen that includes Frida’s only known mural, the basement that served as Frida’s private refuge, and a room dedicated to Kahlo’s commitment: on one side, La Ayuda – Cristina Kahlo’s charity for single mothers, based at Casa Roja in the 1950’s – and on the other, Frida and “Los Fridos,” her closest and most constant students who maintained contact with the family even decades later. Digitally enhanced experiential elements extend the narrative throughout the museum.
In addition to its main exhibitions, the museum plans to featurerotating displays of contemporary work, with a focus on Mexican, Latin American, and female artists, amplifying voices that reflect and expand on Kahlo’s own bold vision.
In a statement, Mara Romeo Kahlo said, “Opening Museo Casa Kahlo is, above all, a family endeavor. I feel so fortunate to be doing this vast project alongside my daughters, Mara De Anda Romeo and Frida Hentschel Romeo, inside our family home. To welcome the public into these spaces is, for us, a tribute to the Kahlo family’s tradition of hospitality. This museum honors the spirit of family, generosity, and creativity that has been passed down to us – and extends Frida Kahlo’s legacy for future generations.”
Museo Casa Kahlo will be administered by Director Adán García Fajardo, who was formerly the Academic Director at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City. The chief curator of the museum is Adriana Miranda. Casa Roja has been transformed into a museum by architect Mariana Doet Zepeda Orozco, with experience and exhibit design by the New York-based Rockwell Group and graphic design and creative direction by Pentagram, and Ileen Gallagher.
Museo Casa Kahlo is open Wednesday through Monday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, at Calle Aguayo 54, in the heart of Coyoacán, Mexico City. Tickets can be purchased at museocasakahlo.org.
Other Things to Do
You can visit world-class museums, wander through colorful plazas, or browse bustling markets in the historic Coyoacán neighborhood. The area has a relaxed, bohemian feel and is easily walkable.
Museums and historical sites
- Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul): Visit the cobalt-blue former home of artist Frida Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera. The museum features many of her personal belongings, art, and the studio where she worked. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.
- Leon Trotsky House Museum: Tour the home where Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky lived in exile and was assassinated in 1940. The museum provides insight into his life and the events that led to his death.
- Museo Anahuacalli: Explore this striking volcanic-stone museum designed by Diego Rivera to house his extensive collection of pre-Hispanic art. The pyramid-like building showcases Mexico’s ancient heritage.
- National Sound Library (Fonoteca Nacional): Housed in an 18th-century building, this institution preserves Mexico’s sound and musical heritage. It was the former home of archaeologist Zelia Nuttall and later of writer Octavio Paz.
Gardens and plazas
- Jardín Centenario and Plaza Hidalgo: Wander through Coyoacán’s picturesque main squares. Here you can see the famous coyote fountain in Jardín Centenario and the historic Parroquia San Juan Bautista church in Plaza Hidalgo. The area is especially lively on weekends with street performers, artisans, and food vendors.
- Avenida Francisco Sosa: Walk down this famous 16th-century street, which features beautiful colonial architecture, quiet courtyards, and cafes.
- Viveros de Coyoacán: Relax in this lush park filled with gardens, walking paths, and playgrounds. It’s a great spot to enjoy some greenery and escape the city bustle.
Food and shopping
- Coyoacán Market (Mercado de Coyoacán): Experience this bustling hub where you can find fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and traditional Mexican street food like tacos and quesadillas.
- Street food and cafes: Indulge in classic Mexican snacks from plaza vendors, like esquites (street corn) and churros. Don’t miss the famous churros from the Churrería General de la República. For a cafe experience, try La Mano on Avenida Francisco Sosa or Cocoa on Calle de Carranza.
Live entertainment and culture
- Teatro Bar El Vicio: Catch a play or concert at this small theater, a continuation of the cultural tradition started by writer Salvador Novo in the mid-20th century.
- Bazar Artesanal Mexicano: Find unique handmade goods and folk art at this artisan market.
- Explore the side streets: Take some time to simply wander off the main plazas and get lost on the quiet, cobblestone residential streets, taking in the bohemian atmosphere.
