Description
Capital of the state of Michoacan, Morelia is distinguished by being culturally, artistically, and historically rich as it gave rise to some of the most important protagonists of the Independence of Mexico like Agustín de Iturbide and Jose Maria Morelos y Pavón among many more.
State: Michoacán
Coordinates:
19°42'08"N 101°11'08"W
Altitude: 1921 meters above sea level
Area:
km²
Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6
Population: 1,200,890 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)
Area Code: 443
Founded as Valladolid in 1541 by order of the Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco and ever since then, Morelia has been the cradle of the arts, culture, and mestizaje. Its historical center preserves a number of buildings dating from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries which earned the city the distinction of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991.
Among the architectural beauties that can be seen in Morelia are the Morelia Cathedral, Old Temple of the Compañía de Jesús, and the Michoacan Government Palace.
Morelia offers excellent hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and culture and is also recognized for hosting renowned international festivals such as the International Film Festival in which year after year Mexican and foreign filmmakers come together. Beautiful towns such as Patzcuaro, Cuitzeo, los Azufres are located on the outskirts of Morelia.
The typical Morelia cuisine consists of dishes like churipo, Tarascan soup, corundas, ucheps, donuts and fruit paste called ates. Morelia is one of the cities in Mexico in which you can see the history of the country from pre-Hispanic times up to the struggle for independence. In this city countless events happened here that shaped the history of the country. Its importance transcends its beauty.
Getting There
Morelia shares a border with Tarímbaro Chucándiro, Huaniqueo to the north; Charo and Tzitzio to the east; Villa Madero and Acuitzio to the south, and Lagunillas, Coeneo, Tzintzuntzan and Quiroga to the west.
General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport can be reached by taking the highway Carretera Federal No. 43 Morelia-Salamanca No.43 which has tolls or you can take the back road.
Carretera Federal No. 15 Morelia-Guadalajara also has tolls or you can take the back road.
Carretera Federal No.47 Morelia-Patzcuaro-Uruapan-Nueva Italia - Lazaro Cardenas.
Distances from Morelia to other destinations in Mexico
- Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro: 190 km.
- León de los Aldama, Guanajuato: 207 km.
- Toluca, State of Mexico, 227 km.
- Guadalajara, Jalisco: 293 km.
- Mexico City, Federal District: 295 km.
- Cuernavaca, Morelos: 318 km.
- Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes: 323 km.
- Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla: 421 km.
- Colima, Colima: 427 km. Tepic, Nayarit: 490 km.
- Oaxaca, Oaxaca: 747 km.
- Monterrey, Nuevo Leon: 890 km.
- Cancun, Quintana Roo: 1896 km.
Climate
Morelia is characterized by a humid climate with an average annual temperature of 17 ° C.
The maximum annual temperature is 24 ° C and the minimum is 10 ° C.
What to Pack
In the summer : sneakers, sunscreen. You can dress comfortably and bring a light sweater for the evenings.
In the winter : gloves, scarf, jacket and boots is recommended.
Tourist Attractions in and around Morelia
Historic Center of Morelia, Morelia Cathedral, Old Church of the Compañia de Jesús, Church and former Convent of las Rosas, Church and former Convent of la Merced, Church and former Convent of San Agustín, Church and former Convent of el Carmen, San José Church , Church of Santa Cruz, Church and former Franciscan Convent of San Bonaventure, Church and former Convent of las Capuchinas, Church of Santa Catalina de Siena, Guadalupe Shrine, former Convent of San Diego.
Morelia Aqueduct, Tarascas Fountain of Morelia, Plaza Morelos, Plaza de las Rosas, Plaza de las Capuchinas and Soterraña Garden, Romance Alley, Plaza del Carmen, Plaza de San José, Plaza Carrillo, Fundadores Garden, Government Palace of Michoacán, Michoacán Legislative Palace, Palacio Federal, Old Royal Hospital of Michoacán, Old Royal Hospital San Juan de Dios, Judiciary Museum of Michoacan, Colegio de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Clavijero Palace, City Hall of Morelia Old Warehouse, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Ocampo, Plaza Valladolid, Plaza Villalongín, Cuauhtémoc Forest, Jesus del Monte Forest. Birthplace of J.M.Morelos, Morelos House, Birthplace of Iturbide, Birthplace of Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, Garcia Obeso House, Pedro de Villela House.
Regional Museum of Michoacan, Colonial Art Museum, Birthplace of Morelos Museum, Alredo Zalce Museum of Contemporary Art, Mask Museum, Natural History Museum, House of the Crafts Museum, Candy Museum, City Museum.
Teatro Ocampo, Teatro Morelos, Teatro Jose Rumbén Romero, La Casona del Teatro, La Mueca Forum, La Bodega Alterna Forum, Teatro Samuel Ramos, University Cultural Center.
Morelia Zoo, Park150, Lázaro Cárdenas Forest, José María Morelos y Pavón National Park, Cointzio Dam, La Joya Cave, Cañada Canyon, La Pela de Atécuaro, La Escalera Presa Umécuaro Caves, Cerro del Aguila, El Bañito Natural Spring, La Alberca Crater, El Cerro del Tzirate.
El Edén Spa, El Ejido Spa, Cointzio Spa.
Festivals and celebrations in Morelia
February: Carnival of Morelia.
March: Jazztival Michoacán.
April: International Guitar Festival.
September-October: International Contemporary Dance Festival.
September 15 and 16: Celebration of Mexican Independence.
October: International Film Festival of Morelia.
November 1 and 2: Day of the Dead Celebration.
November: Festival of Music in Morelia.
December 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.