Morelia

Morelia
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Morelia is the capital of the Mexican state of Michoacán de Ocampo. The city's historic downtown area houses many beautiful colonial buildings and churches.

Morelia was founded on May 18, 1541 by Antonio de Mendoza, as "New City of Michoacán", and in 1578, the name was changed to "Valladolid". In 1580, Valladolid replaced Pátzcuaro as the capital of Michoacán. During the colonial period a number of religious orders established themselves in the city, allowing it to take an important place in the history of art and culture in Mexico. Important architectural sites from the colonial period include the Catedral de Morelia, the Aqueduct (built between 1785 and 1789 by Fray Antonio de San Miguel), the Governor's Palace, the Palacio Clavijero, and numerous churches, convents, and houses. The Conservatorio de Música de las Rosas of Morelia was the first music conservatory in the Americas.

The city is the birthplace of José María Morelos (1765), after whom it was renamed in September 12, 1828, and who along with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla began the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1810.

The Historic Downtown Area (Centro Histórico) encompasses approximately 150 city blocks at the city center, roughly corresponding to the urban area of the city at the end of the eighteenth century. The Centro Historico contains over 1,000 historical buildings and sites. One of the main attractions is the Catedral de Morelia, a cathedral built in the Baroque style. Also interesting is the Casa del Arte where you can find a large variety of high quality artisanal works. There are several other notable historical churches in town including the Templo de las Rosas annex to the Conservatorio de las Rosas, which are both examples of baroque architecture, and the Templo de San Diego (also known as Santuario de Guadalupe), built with an interpretation of the Rococo style using indigenous colors and techniques. The monumental aqueduct, built in colonial days to bring water into town, was functional through 1910. The inner city is built of reddish sandstone, lending the city a unique character among Mexico's many noteworthy colonial cities and giving origin to the name "Ciudad de las Canteras Rosas" that is sometimes used in reference to Morelia.

Year Decision Comments
1991 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

Paul Tanner (UK):
Among the somewhat excessive number of Mexican historic “colonial” town centres on the UNESCO list Morelia’s special claim lies in is its very “Spanish” feeling/atmosphere. As the Rough Guide says “you might easily be in Salamanca or Valladolid” – and indeed the city had this latter name for almost 300 years until it was renamed after the local Independence hero (whose birthplace in the city centre is something of a shrine and worth a quick visit).

The city is pleasant enough and one certainly wouldn’t say “Don’t visit it” but it is difficult to put one’s finger on any particular attraction. It has an enormous late 17th/early 18th century cathedral (photo 1) but this lost most of its riches to pay for Mexico’s wars and now has a late 19th century interior. The inscription emphasises the overall unity of the centre in design and appearance and this has certainly been maintained everywhere in a slightly “blocky” way (photo 2). Our hotel, 2 blocks behind the main street, was not an old building but was faced with the ubiquitous reddish stone – from the back however it was grotty red brick! There are however many genuine old buildings built on a grid pattern which still follows the original plan – it is interesting to read on the tourist “plaques” the detailed instructions sent out by Philip II as to how “exactly” cities in the New World were to be laid out and the buildings designed – real micro management! The main street is wide with imposing colonnaded structures and huge squares. Behind, the streets are narrower and one comes across old convents and churches, pleasant squares, small gardens and fountains. The city has a population of over 1 million and a significant university – as such it has the “mass” to support a pleasant café culture, restaurants etc.

After an evening and a morning in Morelia we moved on to nearby Patzcuaro – a more indigenous and atmospheric town with adobe walls, cobbled streets and red tiled roofs. It is the antithesis of Morelia’s grandeur, rigidity and “Spanishness”. However, this Michelin *** town (as opposed to Morelia’s **) is not UNESCO-inscribed nor on its Tentative list. For a tourist visiting Mexico I would suggest that it is by far the more interesting and beautiful and I wonder why it is being ignored “World Heritage-wise” whilst Mexico gets so many of its more “Spanish” colonial cities inscribed?
 
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Morelia is one of the gems of Mexico. I had a great time there exploring all the beautiful colonial streets, while staying at this gorgeous hostel, just off the Zocalo. Prices were very reasonable and I managed to get the best breakfast I ever had at a upstairs eating place just behind the (lust-for-the-eye) cathedral. The place doesn't feel like the second largest city of Mexico at all.
 
TW. Coughlin (USA):
Morelia, is a romantic untouristed city of a million people that feels more like 100,000. Rich in color and history, you will feel safe exploring its "Cantera Rosa" (Pink Stone) downtown neighborhoods and central plaza. The Morelians are friendly educated people who adore their community. There is so much to do and see in this clean, beautiful city, I especially enjoyed the vibrant "Candy" market and variety of art galleries. I'm returning again in the Spring!
Date posted: January 2006


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