On my first day in Mexico, I joined a tour going to Xochimilco. Before our final destination, we passed by the largest university in Latin America. The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (National Autonomous University of Mexico), or UNAM, was founded in 1910. It has been recognized as a leading Spanish-speaking university in the world. It also has the highest number of Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni and faculty in Latin America. Notable laureates include Alfonso García Robles for peace, Octavio Paz for literature, and Mario Molina for chemistry. Most of the old buildings that the university uses came from its predecessor. This was the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. It was established in 1551 and closed in 1867.

The Ciudad Universitaria (University City) located in Coyoacán is the main campus of UNAM. It was built in the 1950s on an ancient solidified lava bed known as “El Pedregal.” UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2007. The campus boasts artistic details. It was designed by two of Mexico’s best-known architects of the 20th century, Mario Pani and Enrique del Moral. There are also murals painted by several renowned Mexican artists. Notable artists include Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros.

Since we are only allowed to stay there for a short time, I haven’t seen the entire campus. I saw the Olympic Stadium, which was built in 1952. The stadium hosted several events. These included the 1955 Pan American Games, the 1968 Summer Olympics, and the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is decorated with a giant mural done by Diego Garcia. The mural features the university shield, a condor, and an eagle. It shows a family in the middle. Male and female athletes are lighting the Olympic torch. There is a huge feathered serpent representing the pre-Hispanic god Quetzalcoatl.

Another landmark that made the campus a World Heritage Site is the Biblioteca Central (Central Library). The building’s walls are highly decorated. It is a masterpiece that will catch the attention of anyone who visits the campus. The various murals covering the exteriors of the library building were created by the Mexican painter and architect Juan O’Gorman. These murals have been his most celebrated artwork. Different colored stones were used for the mosaics on each side of the building. They depict pre-hispanic, colonial, and contemporary Mexico. This April 5th will mark its 60th anniversary since it opened in 1956.