Interesting Places & Architecture in the State of Michoacan

The state of  Michoacán is renowned for its impressive civil and religious constructions built between the 16th and 19th centuries.  Morelia contains magnificent examples of the baroque and other styles such as the neoclassical and plateresque, as well as 18th and 19th century buildings.

Tourist Attractions  in Morelia

     1. Morelia Cathedral Magnificent pink stone building erected between 1660 and 1670 in the baroque style. Its interior is decorated with Doric and neoclassical features. Located in the Historic Center, declared by UNESCO as World heritage site.

2. College of "San Nicolas de Hidalgo"
Neo-classic building which during the period when the city was still known as Valladolid housed the College of "San Nicolas", which was founded by Vasco de Quiroga in Patzcuaro in the 16th century. Miguel Hidalgo was dean of this college and Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon one of its most outstanding pupils. The Melchor Ocampo Conference Hall is located on its second floor and can be visited from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

3. Temple of our Lady of Mercy
The construction of this baroque church with Plateresque and Churrigueresque features for the Order of our Lady of Mercy began in 1604. The monastery was subsequently converted into a school with only the church being used for worship.

4. Palacio Clavijero (Clavijero Palace)

Undoubtedly one of the most impressive baroque constructions in the city built in the 17th century.

5. Templo and Conservatorio de las Rosas (Las Rosas Temple and Conservatory)

Baroque construction erected in the 18th century. The School of Music was established there in the late 1940’s and it currently houses the Morelia Boys’ Choir.

6. Municipal Palace
This baroque construction, built in the late 18th century, contained the state tobacco factory that supervised the control and sale of tobacco. In 1859 it was remodeled to house the Municipal Palace. Its octagonal patio stands out as an authentic architectural jewel.

7. The Aqueduct

The need for water in Morelia (and in other parts of the country) moved the architects and engineers of New Spain to build this aqueduct, of which, today, 253 of its arches along a construction of 1,700 meters still stand.

8. "Benito Juarez" Zoo
It is the most important zoo of the country in the matter of variety of species (440) and number of specimen (3,800). It has the largest bird collection in Latin America; also its primate collection stands out with 23 different species and its feline collection with 10, of which 6 inhabit the region. The visiting schedule is from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tourist attractions in Patzcuaro

1.- Basilica of our Lady of La Salud
It is the most important temple of Patzcuaro, whose peculiarity is that it is not located in the central part of the city, very close to the headquarters of the civil power, as compared to the majority of the cities populated in the first centuries of Colonial time.. It was built by order of the first bishop of Michoacan, Don Vasco de Quiroga, on top of a pre-Hispanic ceremonial center, which meant a transformation, functioning as cathedral church until 1580 when it was decided that Valladolid (in Morelia) would carry out this labor.

2.- Lake of Patzcuaro

The outskirts of the Patzcuaro Lake and its Islands are found inhabited by the indigenous community that conserves great part of its costumes and traditions. Its fishermen are worldwide known, due to the butterfly-form nets used to fish the delicious white fish which is in extinction at the present time.

3.-Temple and College of the Company of Jesus
This building sheltered the religious who integrated the Company of Jesus, who arrived to the Diocese of Michoacan thanks to the efforts of Vasco de Quiroga who was up to date of their prestige in the field of education. The construction dates from the XVII century, the college is a building that has a beautiful patio and wide spaces that give a sensation of tranquility. As for the church, there is a clock in the tower, of which the legend says that it was exiled from Spain due to have marked an unfortunate hour to someone in the monarchy of that country. At the present time it is the House of Culture.

4.- The "Sagrario" (Sanctuary)
The edification of the "Sagrario" started in 1693, and it came to its end exactly two centuries later, years during which several decorative elements were added and which up to this present time can be appreciated. That building gave shelter to the sanctuary of our Lady of La Salud until 1924.

5.- House of the Eleven Patios
(Ex-Convent of the Dominican Nuns of Santa Catarina)
It is a building of 1742, where the Dominican Nuns were established in the middle of the XVIII century. The whole of the colonial buildings that integrate it gave origin to its name, a great variety of regional handicrafts are exhibited and sold there. The place results particularly interesting since you can observe at the cotton cloth and lacquers workshops the mastery with which the craftsmen make use of their imagination.

6.- Vasco de Quiroga Square
Side by side, the grand square is found surrounded by buildings of the colonial period, it is considered one of the most beautiful squares of America. Its dimension, the majestic big houses built around it, and the absence of religious buildings make it different from the rest.

7.- Palace of Huitzimengari
This residence is found in the main square. It belonged to the prince Antonio de Huitzimengari, son of the last Purepecha governor or Cazonci and godson of the first viceroy of the New Spain, Don Antonio de Mendoza. Even if it has a solemn facade, in the interior, a great patio full of flowers and surrounded by arcs is found, the indigenous craftsmen exhibit their products at present time there.