Morelia City

Michoacan - Other Cities and Attractions

Founded under the name of Valladolid by Viceroy Antoino de Mendoza in the early 1500's and renamed in 1828. Morelia is a beautiful colonial city in the highlands of Michoacan. The quaint air of it's city center with it's fabulous architecture, stone arches over series of outdoor restaurants and bars that overlook the town square, the cathedral, parks and old world atmosphere and culture, make for a wonderfully enjoyable yet restful stay.

The streets of the downtown area are highly walkable with many instances of rich colonial architecture on all sides.

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.

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.

Palacio de Gobierno

It began life as a seminary in the mid-1700s and was attended by several key figures of the Independence and Reform movements. It has served as the seat of the state government since 1867. It is frequently the focal point of sit-ins and demonstrations.

Walk through the building to view the three murals that adorn the staircase and first floor walls.

Plaza de Armas

This is the oldest part of the city, and it is here that locals sit on the benches to watch the world go by at a leisurely pace. There are makeshift food stands on the edge of the plaza selling fruit cocktails and aguas (water-based fruit juices). The informal sector plays an important role in the local economy. Many more street vendors can be seen under the portales (arcades) hawking their wares: anything from batteries to make-up, with many others selling magazines and the provincial daily, La Voz de Michoacán.

The north side has several cafés decked out with leather and pine wood tables and chairs in the local rustic style called 'equipal' (originating from the Nahuatl 'icpalli', meaning 'chair').