Mexico: world's tallest Catrina unveiled for Día de Muertos in Mexico City

Loading the video No Comment Video. Mexico: world's tallest Catrina unveiled for Día de Muertos in Mexico City Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 30 October 2026 - 9:37 GMT+1 A 33.4-metre Catrina has broken a Guinness World Record in Mexico City. Towering over the Zócalo, the giant skeleton is surrounded by thousands of marigolds ahead of Day of the Dead celebrations. The monumental female skeleton, roughly the height of an 11-storey building, surpasses the previous record of 28.15 metres set in Puerto Vallarta in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Created by around 140 artists and technicians from Taller Xibalbá, the figure wears a purple dress stretching more than 27 metres. Visitors gathered beneath the installation to take photographs as workers put the finishing touches to the display. Facing the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Catrina stands at the centre of an enormous ofrenda, a traditional altar honouring the dead, surrounded by a carpet of some 70,000 marigold plants grown in Xochimilco. The installation pays tribute to Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, whose 1913 illustration of a skeletal woman became the inspiration for La Catrina, now one of the most recognisable symbols of Day of the Dead. The elaborate display also features coloured sawdust carpets and figures inspired by axolotls and alebrijes, Mexico's fantastical folk-art creatures. Celebrated on 1 and 2 November, Day of the Dead brings families together to remember deceased loved ones through photographs, food, flowers and offerings. Marigolds, known as cempasúchil, are traditionally believed to guide spirits home through their colour and scent. The record-breaking Catrina and its illuminated altar will remain on display until 2 November. Mexico Guinness World Records All Saints' Day Halloween Tradition Culture Top stories Now playing Next Mexico: world's tallest Catrina unveiled for Día de Muertos in Mexico City Now playing Next DR Congo: MSF celebrates Ebola patient discharges in Ituri province Now playing Next Ukraine: Russian strike kills two teenage girls in Chernihiv Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 30th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Oleshky truce holds in Ukraine, Albania imposes fines on protesters Now playing Next EU and Canada to seal broader, deeper alliance in Trump's long shadow Now playing Next Spain: minute of silence for train crash victims as king visits hospital Now playing Next High-speed train crash in Spain kills at least 68, over 100 injured Now playing Next ECB President Christine Lagarde to step down in February 2027 Now playing Next EU removes mention of ‘associate membership’ from Canada declaration Now playing Next Americans 'should be very prepared' for Trump to overturn election Now playing Next Spain: First footage reveals wreckage of deadly high-speed train crash Now playing Next The new time lord: Wei Koh on his first year as GPHG jury president Now playing Next The World Judo Tour returns to Abu Dhabi with Day 1 wins Now playing Next Actor Patrick Stewart, star of 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men', dies aged 86 Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 29th, 2026 – Evening ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Vatican: Century of Mercedes-Benz popemobiles goes on display No Comment Albania: opposition MPs disrupt parliament with smoke flares No Comment Rembrandt's masterpieces become tattoos in the Netherlands No Comment Israel: protesters demand Arab-Jewish unity government after election Europe News EU countries push back against Brussels plan to tax gas more than electricity Europe News German serial rapist sentenced to 12 years as police investigate 44 more cases Europe News Palestinian President Abbas signals readiness for talks with Israel, seeks Cyprus mediation EU News Brussels hopes unspent defence loans may help plug Ukraine’s budget hole Business ‘I’m not a candidate for anything’: What Lagarde told Euronews before quitting the ECB World News JD Vance contacts senior Iranian official in bid to revive peace talks Europe News Russian drone attack on Ukrainian railway station kills at least 14 people World News Watch: Fuel crisis strands 200 passengers aboard luxury cruise ship Odyssey ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Spain train crash: What happened in the 17 minutes before the collision? Europe Today Ex-US Ambassador to NATO: Trump fears midterm defeat No Comment Spain: cranes clear twisted train wreckage as rescuers work through the night Economy ECB President Christine Lagarde to step down next February, months before her mandate ends Culture news In Pompeii, a woman's wardrobe resurfaces with beauty items and jewels Health news US measles surge reminds of Europe’s vaccination gaps Europe Today More refineries 'spread across the globe' needed to avoid disruptions during wars, says expert World News Putin calls Elon Musk a 'genius' as Russia builds its own Starlink rival ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT