To visit Morelia is to arrive to a city where time has stopped; its little tranquil streets are silent witnesses of the history that has been gathered in every corner and every spot, offering with tenderness the caress of a place that has been qualified as "a unique model in America" by the experts of UNESCO, who have given it the title of World Cultural Heritage in the year of 1991.
Description
Morelia, proud capital of the state of Michoacan is located over a long flat hill of rocky ground at the southeast corner of the Guayangareo Valley, which is surrounded by rivers and hills that protect the city from the winds. Gorgeous city of beautiful streets that have been perfectly defined by the magnificence of the colonial constructions that rise as echoes of the viceroyalty era; a city that keeps growing to the rhythm of modernity to adapt itself to the needs of the contemporary world, without loosing the essence that turned it into a valuable World Cultural Heritage.
Keeping all its greatness and elegance at a historic center constituted by harmonic façades of a sober baroque style from which you can watch the passing of time go by, the eternal Morelia surrenders to the present with its modern colonies, malls, golf courses and hotels, which slowly add up to the structure of a city that was originally composed by gorgeous big houses of ample patios, arches and fountains where you could watch women knitting fabrics and dreams in the afternoons.
If all of these wasn't enough, one of the characteristics that distinguish Morelia from the rest of the cities of the republic, is its people, inhabitants of Morelia are excellent hosts, warm people with a great desire to please visitors, they are always smiling and they provide a unique service to the tourist.
History
It is known that the lands of Michoacan have been populated since approximately 6 thousand years ago by diverse human groups that mainly settled in the basin of the Chapala and Cuitzeo rivers. The nahuas, otomies and matlazincas where among these groups, but the dominant ones where, without a shred of a doubt, the purepechas, also know as tarascos.
The city of Morelia has had 3 names since it was born. In the pre-Hispanic era it was inhabited by the purepechas and it was known by the name of Guayangareo. Later on, in 1541 it was turned into a city by order of the viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, taking in the little town of Franciscan monks and converted natives who had settled in the area, and taking the name of Valladolid. Then, in the year of 1828 by a decree of the Second Constitutional Congress of the State, the name Valladolid was replaced by Morelia in honor of the insurgent leader Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, proud son of this city.
A lot to discover
The city of Morelia has hundreds of colonial constructions, beautiful old houses and dreamy streets that will free your imagination. But apart from all the hot spots and the baroque beauties of its historic center, which by the way is the second most important of the country, there are many other sites of interest in the surroundings of the city you should visit, like the various archaeological zones, water parks and the Morelos National Park, a forest located 14 miles away from the city where you can camp, practice horseback riding, enjoy a delicious outdoor meal and take in all the beauty of the brooks.
Only 6 miles from Morelia you can find Cointzio water park, a place where you can spend a whole day of fun with your family or friends, since it features several tourist services such as a swimming pool, kids pool, green areas, playground, soda fountain, ballroom for special events that holds up to 500 people, panoramic terraces and gorgeous cabins where you can stay.
Further on, only 33 miles from the capital of the state you will find Patzcuaro and the island of Janitzio, where you can taste the finest white fish while admiring "la Danza de los Viejitos" (the dance of the old people) which is the most representative folkloric dance of the state.
If all of this was not enough, very close from Morelia you will find the sanctuary of the Monarca Butterfly, a forest that turns into orange and black colors when the butterfly arrives for reproduction, a spectacle worthy of being admired.
Patzcuaro
Patzcuaro is one of the most beautiful typical towns of America, since it has colossal temples, the spectacular Plaza Vasco de Quiroga and beautiful constructions of adobe and tile that turn it into one of the main tourist centers of the Mexican Republic. In the pre-Hispanic era it was an important ceremonial center of the Purepechas and even today, its surroundings are inhabited by native groups that still preserve their traditions. Its fishermen are famous due to the butterfly shaped nets they use to catch the delicious white fish that distinguishes the gastronomy of the state of Michoacan. Paztcuaro is located only 33 miles away from the city of Morelia.
Janitzio
Janitzio is a quaint island located only 20 minutes away from Patzcuaro's dock, in its summit there is a 130 feet tall monument in honor to Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon. The native community that inhabits this beautiful place still preserves its customs. One of the most famous customs is the Night of the Dead, during this celebration all the fishermen sail out with their butterfly shaped nets and they lit up their boats with candles.
Uruapan
Only 63 miles away from Morelia, you will find the second most important city of the state of Michoacan: Uruapan œthe place where everything blooms, according to the meaning of the purepecha word where it takes its name from. Also known as the world capital of the Avocado, this city is the main exporter of this product to every country in the planet.
Among its main attractions there are magnificent historic monuments, parishes and chapels; in many different spots of the city you can also find murals made by important Michoacan artists such as Alfredo Zalce and Manuel Perez. During your visit to Uruapan you will find beautiful handcrafts made with pre-Hispanic techniques, works in lacquer, wood, textiles and cane paste.