The Teatro de la República is one of Mexico's most historically significant theaters — not for its performances but for what happened here in 1917, when the Constitutional Congress that drafted the Mexican Constitution met in its hall. The constitution they produced, revolutionary for its time in its guarantees of land reform and labor rights, remains the basis of Mexican law today.
The theater is still in operation as a performance venue, and tours of the interior are available. The main hall retains its original 19th-century decor, with the constitutional delegates' seats preserved in the ground floor. There is also a good collection of photographs and documents relating to the constitutional convention. Check the schedule if you want to catch a live performance — the theater hosts music, dance, and theatrical productions year-round.