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A Walking Tour of Mexico City

By Suzanne Barbezat, About.com

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The House of Tiles

Photo by Guillermo Aldana, courtesy of the Mexican Tourism Board

Walk along Madero Street until you come to the corner of Filomeno Mata. Here you will see a house covered in blue and white tiles. This house, located at number 4 Francisco Madero Street, is covered in azulejos (tiles) from the state of Puebla, which are called talavera.

Built in the 16th Century, this mansion has an interesting history:

  • In 1737 the Count and Countess of Orizaba ordered the renovation of their home and the placement of the tiles.

  • From 1881 it functioned as a private men's club.

  • In 1917 it was converted into a drug store and soda fountain which eventually evolved into Sanborn's, a chain of restaurants and department stores, which is what it is today.

This is a good place to stop for lunch.

Directions
Exiting Sanborn's, walk 2 blocks North along Filomena Mata Street and you will arrive at the Plaza Tolsa, on Tacuba Street.

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