Unfinished project of the Legislative Palace
The metal structure of the dome that makes up what is currently the majestic Monument to the Revolution keeps in its memory the vestiges of what was thought to be the Hall of the "Lost Steps" of the unfinished project of the Legislative Palace.
Plano del Palacio Legislativo de México (1898) by Emilio DondéArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
In 1897 the call would be launched through the Ministry of Communications and Public Works for the construction of a new headquarters for the Legislative Power, which would house the Chamber of Senators and Deputies, which then-president Porfirio Díaz tried to establish as part of the buildings that would commemorate the centenary of the Independence of Mexico.
Plano de la fachada pricnipal del Palacio Legislativo de México (1898) by Emilio DondéArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Porfirio Díaz wanted the new building to be one of the most luxurious legislative palaces in the world, with more than 14 thousand square meters, but from the beginning the work was involved in scandal, since the decision of the contest was controversial as there was no a first place has been declared, a tie for second place has been declared, and third place has been selected for its creation: the design of the recently deceased Italian Pietro Paolo Quaglia.
Plano donde se ubicaría el Palacio Legislativo de México (1898) by Emilio DondéArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Criticisms of the resolution immediately arose, pointing out the irregularities and questioning the selected design. Another scandal was added to the project when the commission assigned the project to the architect Emilio Dondé, who had been part of the jury in the call, and who, not obtaining progress in the work, resigned in 1902.
Planos de la bliblioteca y del senado del Palacio Legistavio de México (1898) by Emilio DondéArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Capitolio del Washinton D.C. by UnknownArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
The Mexican government chose to sign a contract with the renowned French architect Émile Bénard; reactivating the project at the beginning of 1904. Bérnard wanted to transform the project taking the model of the Capitol in Washington D.C. and the Parliament of Budapest.
Parlamento de Budapest by UnknownArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
The changes were accepted after an arduous negotiation with the Ministry of Communications and Public Works, which required it to maintain the style of the first project selected.
Plano de la fachada pricnipal del Palacio Legislativo de México (1898) by Emilio DondéArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Thanks to the documents kept by the General Archive of the Nation, it can be seen that Emilio Dondé's design shows a predominantly eclectic style, as it takes features from various sources and styles.
Plano de la fachada propuesta por Émile Bénard del Palacio Legislativo de México (1904) by Émile BénardArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
In contrast, Émile Bénard's plans show neoclassical art, distinguished in the pediment, portico, dome, and series of columns in Corinthian and Ionic finishes.
Boceto interior de la Cámara de Diputados (1904) by Émile BénardArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Likewise, the plan of the palace sample that the construction would house the chamber of senators and deputies. In the center the Hall of the "Lost Steps" would rise, crowned with an immense dome which would highlight the importance of the place as a shelter for the Legislative Power.
Prespectiva de la gran escalera del Palacio Legislativo de México (1904) by Émile BénardArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
The sketches of the interior of the palace are also preserved, in which the monumentality intended for the work can be observed; In addition to perceiving the staircase of ascent and the interior of the Hall of the “Lost Steps”, a name derived from being a place of transit and central connection of the space.
Interior del Salón de Pasos Perdidos (1904) by Émile BénardArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Plano de la cúpula del Palacio Legislativo de México (1904) by Émile BénardArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
Despite already having the approach of the work, factors such as the lake soil of Mexico City, as well as the criticism for its increase in cost, represented more challenges to overcome for the monumental work, which ended up being definitively interrupted with the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution and the resignation of Porfirio Díaz to the presidency of Mexico.
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The architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia, took the structure of the dome of the Sala de los Pasos Perdidos of the ill-fated Federal Legislative Palace to build the Monument to the Revolution, an architectural work completed in 1938 and dedicated to the commemoration of the Mexican Revolution.
