House of Tiles (Casa de los Azulejos)

The House of Tiles is an 18th-century palace located in the historic center of Mexico City, originally built for the Counts of the Valley of Orizaba. The structure began as two separate 16th-century residences that were later combined into a single palatial estate. Its most striking feature, the blue and white Talavera tile facade, was added in 1737 by the Countess of the Valley of Orizaba, showcasing the immense wealth and status of the family during the colonial era through materials imported from Puebla. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the building underwent a significant transformation as the city modernized. After the Mexican Revolution, the property was acquired by the Sanborn brothers, who converted the colonial courtyard into an elegant restaurant and pharmacy. This transition saved the building from decay and turned it into a cultural hub for the city's intellectual and social elite, a role it continues to serve today. Beyond its architectural beauty, the interior houses a significant piece of Mexican art history. In 1925, the renowned muralist José Clemente Orozco was commissioned to paint 'Omniscience' on the walls of the main staircase. The mural represents the triumph of knowledge and human spirit, contrasting beautifully with the baroque architecture of the building and cementing the site as a landmark where colonial heritage meets modern Mexican muralism.