Michoacan Attractions

Michoacan state - Capital

The Monarch Butterflies of Michoacan

When you visit Michoacan you should not miss to witness one of the most spectacular natural events there is: the arrival of the Monarca butterfly, an event that occurs each year by the end of October. The Monarca butterfly spends all the winter in these forests in colonies of up to 20 million butterflies, after a journey of more than 3000 miles from the frontier of Canada and the United States , which is the place where they inhabit during the summer, when the high temperatures allow them to grow and reproduce. In October, the fast drop of the temperature forces them to fly to warmer latitudes.

During their long trip, these butterflies look for ascendant currents of air to take advantage of the impulse provided by them and just glide, they only flap their wings when they loose the impulse of the wind or when they need to change courses. With this technique of flight, the Monarca butterfly travels an approximate distance of 75 miles per day until it gets to Michoacan.

In mid-February, the Monarca butterfly starts to mate, and finally in the first days of March, large groups of butterflies lift up simultaneously, flapping their wings with a breathtaking sound, to find a current of ascendant air and begin the journey back home.

Aqueduct

It was originally constructed by an order of the Bishop Fray Antonio de San Miguel in the year of 1785; it was used to provide the fountains and convents of the city's downtown with water, as well as employing the natives of the zone. It has a beautiful baroque style that has turned it into a symbol of the city and it is constituted by 253 arches, its current masonry structure dates mainly from the 18th century.

The Cathedral

Morelia city's Cathedral is a colossus building made of pink quarry with almost 230-feet high towers, a triple facade with an altarpiece and three interior patios adorned with impressive murals. Its construction was started in 1660 and finished in 1744.

In its interior it features a monumental pipe organ from the beginning of the century, constituted by 4,600 flutes. In its interior you can also find valuable paintings and an image of the Lord of the Sacristy made in the 16th century.

Morelia's Conventions Center

Surrounded by green areas, parking lots, a planetarium, a library, a hotel, a comfortable theater, an exposition area and 9 event halls, Morelia's Conventions Center is, without a doubt, an excellent choice for business tourism. Morelia's Conventions Center is just 10 minutes away from the historic center and it's communicated by means of the two main avenues of the city.

Felipe Rivera Planetarium

The planetarium has a capacity for 365 people; its contemporary structure features a hemispheric dome of a 65 feet diameter, it mimics the core of a comet with an 8-corner star in its center. The dome works internally as a screen for the 164 projectors that reproduce the sidereal movements regarding to the Earth.