HISTORICAL
ARCHITECTURE
Due to the notable Baroque- and Plateresque-style architectural treasures built during the 16th and 17th centuries,
Morelia?s Historic Center was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Often referred to as the soul of
Mexico, the architecture of Morelia stands as a testament to the city?s
religious influences and its unique
blending of styles that have
come together over centuries.
Catedral (The
Cathedral) ? Located on Avenida
Francisco I. Madero in the Historic Center. Neoclassical ornamentation
predominates this impressive Baroque-style structure built with pink
ashlars. Constructed between 1660 and 1774, it houses one
of the city
most venerated images, a dried maize sculpture of the Señor de la Sacristia. You?ll also see several precious
paintings in the vestry and the
chapter house.
Acueducto (Aqueduct) ? Located on
Avenida Acueducto and Calzada Madero in Morelia. One of the
city?s most emblematic structures, this aqueduct has 253 Baroque-style arcs.
Bishop Friar Antonio de San
Miguel ordered its construction in 1785 as a means to bring potable water to the
city and to create jobs
for indigenous people.
Antigua Alhondiga ? Located on
Abasolo Street, at Corregidora in the Historic Center. This Baroque building,
which was once the city?s wheat
depository during the Colonial era, was rebuilt into a tribunal in 1847.
Antigua Casa de Don
Manuel Garcia Obeso ? Located on Avenida Madero Oriente and
Morelos Norte in the Historic
Center. The neoclassical façade and Baroque interior will draw your
attention to this building, which was constructed
during the second half of
the 18th century.
Some of the
first meetings to plot Mexico?s
independence were held in this house.
Antigua Casa del
Diezmo ? Located on Avenida Madero
Poniente and Benito Juarez
in the Historic Center. In this Baroque-style building,
they used to collect tithes
contributed by parishioners.
Currently, it is a bank.
Iglesia y Convento
de San
Francisco ? Located at 129
Fray San Juan de San Miguel Street,
at Humboldt, in the Historic
Center.
The Franciscans
began the construction of this Plateresque-style building in 1531. Since 1973, it has operated as the Michoacan Crafts House. Open daily
from 9:00 to 3:00 and 5:30 to 8:00.
Palacio Clavijero
? Located on Avenida Francisco I. Madero
and Nigromante in the Historic Center. This grand Baroque-style building
was constructed in the middle of
the 17th century
and it is
considered one of the city?s
most important architectural achievements.
