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Morelia, Michoacan and Mexico
 

Sights

Morelia is a lovely city and worth several days of wandering around. The heart of Morelia is at the zócalo/plaza, called the Plaza de los Mártires ("Plaza of the Martyrs"), in memory of citizen defenders who were executed in 1830 for taking part in the War of Independence. You'll find Morelia's history ensconced in the splendid buildings surrounding this large square.

Constructed of quarrystone, the Catedral gives off a pink glow and has two ornate towers 200 feet high. The Catedral was begun in 1660 and completed 84 years later.

The baroque Palacio Federal is a masterpiece worth visiting. It was often referred to as the foundation of the ancient city, and was used for a variety of purposes (including the storage of grain) over the centuries.

Convento de las Monjas, established in 1590 as a Dominican Convent, was adopted for use as a music school for boys in the late 1700s. Today Conservatorio de Música de las Rosas is still a music school and the center for the Boy's Choir of Morelia.

Moved from Pátzcuaro in 1580, the Colegio de San Nicolas was originally founded in 1540 by Vasco de Quiroga. It is said to be one of the oldest institutions of learning in the Americas and was the precursor of what is now the University of Michoacán.

Named in honor of Jesuit leader Francisco Clavijero, Palacio Clavijero was completed in 1660 as a Jesuit college. In 1767 the Jesuits were booted out of Mexico, and today it is used as the state library.

All sweets-lovers should take a stroll through the Mercado de Dulces or "sugar" market. Just before the Day of the Dead, sugar artists go wild creating sugar skulls, skeletons, and a multitude of designs that bring a little laughter to this very important holiday.

One of the smallest museums in the city, Museo Del Estado was formerly the home of Ana Huarte, who later married Agustín Iturbide (he called himself the Emperor of Mexico for 10 months). You can trace the history of Morelia through the exhibits.

An eternal torch continues to burn at the Museo Casa Natal de Morelos in memory of native son/hero José María Morelos. This is where he was born on 30 September 1765. The house was built around 1650, and now is a national monument and a museum, with a public library and well-used auditorium.

Museo Casa de Morelos was the home of Morelos from the time he bought it in 1801. This museum provides personal history of Morelos and information about the War of Independence and his part in it.

The structure of Museo Regional Michoacán was built for Isidro Huarte. One of its most interesting displays is the mural by Alfredo Zalce, showing the "haves and have nots" (people who have helped Mexico, and those who have not). Exhibits include pre-Columbian artifacts, ceramics, colonial arms, contemporary and colonial paintings, and one section that is a public library, including a library for children.

Casa De Las Artesanías is not just a museum of state crafts, but also houses some of the best quality crafts from all the famous little towns and has rooms where you can observe artisans working.

Bosque parkBosque Park is the largest park in Morelia and is officially called Bosque Cuauhtémoc Forest. It's a pleasant place to take a walk, away from the sights and sounds of the city.

In another fine ex-mansion built in the early 19th century, you'll find contemporary art of local as well as international artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Museo de Historia Natural was inaugurated in 1986 under the auspices of the University of Michoacán. It is devoted to the protection of the state's natural resources and exhibits programs of investigation and history of the growth of ecology in the state.

AquaductAt one time the primary means of getting water to the city, the Aqueduct continues its path over the landscape, ending at the Tarascan Fountain. The graceful arches at one time stretched for eight kilometers, supplying 30 public fountains where people hand-dipped their water for home use.

 

 

 

Links to More Information
about Morelia & Mexico


Mexico Directory

http://www.mexonline.com

http://www.mexicotravel.net

Map of Mexico
http://www.mexicotravel.net/demo2
/index.cfm?fuseaction=map

Morelia Culture
http://www.hsoledad.com
/morelia.htm

http://www.depatadeperro.com

Mexican Independence from Spain
http://www.pbs.org/kpbs
/theborder/history/timeline/3.html

El Grito: Celebrating Mexican
Independence
http://www.mexico-
info.com/traditions/elgrito.htm

First Aid Tips & Suggestions
http://www.mexonline.com/
amigonews/01june.htm


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