Mexico City’s Museo Casa de la Bola is a bit out of the way, but worth the trek. I drove around the block about 7 times the first time I went, before figuring out where to park. It’s hard to imagine Tacubaya used to be a very natural residential area where elite Mexico City residents had their country homes in the 19th century. Now it’s industrial and close to major highways. This house is one of the few old ones that remain in the middle of gas stations and paint stores.
Oasis:
The house is decorated by a collector with many elite styles from Europe that were popular in the 1800s. It is not furnished as it originally would have been around Independence, but rather contains pieces from many different periods, mostly collected by its last owner. You can take a guided tour, which is mildly interesting (if not very historic), especially if you have some travieso in your group who dares to step off the designated walking carpet. This will definitely incite the wrath of your guide.
The best part is definitely the “backyard” of the house, which resembles something like a jungle with overgrown marble statues forgotten in many covered corners. The garden property is enormous and a sharp contrast to its surroundings and neighbors.
What a nice seat
Many historians and interesting professors come to speak here on Sundays, and they have a lot of events celebrating the Bicentenario this year. I was amazed by how packed those lectures were with people of different ages. When they asked questions they seemed really fascinated and identified with Mexican history and local history of the neighborhood.
Rumor has it the Guera Rodriguez hung out here with the original bachelor owner. A supposed proponent of Independence from Spain, it seems likely that they would have known each other since the high society crowd in Mexico City was relatively small around Independence. I feel a certain affinity to her having been called by her name without end, but I think that’s all we have in common.
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