Morelia

The  colonial city of Morelia is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site., from it’s  beautiful architecture, it’s clear to see why.  Morelia is the capital of the state of Michoacan, it is also the states largest and most populated city.   Morelia has an enormous amount of things to offer it’s visitors, from the  colonial buildings and elegant vibrant streets to it’s delicious food. 

History

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The  city was founded in 1541 by Antonio de Mendoza and it’s original name was
Valladolid.  The name was changed after Mexico’s War of Independence, in  honor of one of it’s hero’s Jose Maria Morelos de Pavon who was born in the city  in 1765.  One of Morelia’s many beautiful historic monuments, the cathedral  and the aqueduct are the most mpressive.  In 1920 the Palace of the State  Government was briefly overtaken by farm workers and others from around the  state.  In the 1960’s the street vendors were removed from the historic  center in the city and palm trees that lined the Avenida Madero were cut down. 

 The 1970’s and 1980’s were marked by construction including the Periferico  bypass ring around the city.  During the 1980’s damage due to geographical  faults were noticed.  In 1991 the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage  Site due to its well preserved colonial architecture.  In 2001, street  vendors were moved again from the historic center to make it more tourist  friendly.  Traffic was re-routed here as well with the construction of new bypasses. In 2006 and 2007 many of the plazas and gardens in the historic center  were remodeled.  

Tourism

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Morelia  is by far the most cultural city in Michoacan.  Like any other big city   Morelia has stadiums, sports arenas, convention centers, college’s and  restaurants as well as top level hotels.  There are also many activities  that help you make the most out of the environment that you are in.  Lake  Patzcuaro is nearby and this is the place that is believed where the barrier  between life and death is the thinnest.  The annual butterfly migration is  one of the nations greatest spectacles and a top attraction for people that  visit Morelia.  Each year as many as 60 million to one billion Monarch  butterflies make the journey from Eastern Canada to forests in Western Central  Mexico.  The butterflies arrive in Mexico each year in October and make  their winter homes in the tops of trees .  Their arrival coincides with Dia  de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) one of Mexico's most important holidays.   During the annual Day of the Dead holiday, deceased relatives are believed  to return home where they are honored with feasts, celebrates and elaborate  offerings.  

While  you are in Morelia be sure to take a walk through the downtown area.  The  city has a strong French and Spanish colonial design.  While you walk you
will see many beautiful buildings and can stop to shop at some of the art shops,  textile stores and handicraft shops.  You will be sure that you want to
include Morelia’s two tower cathedral, the Colonial Art Museum, Saint Francis  Church and the Government Palace in your walk as well.    
Morelia in Mexicoclick to enlarge
Morelia  provides people who love food with a refreshing experience.  The city is located in the center of a rich agricultural area as well as livestock  production area.  These provide natural organic products that many of the  restaurants in town use in their foods. 

There  are many options for places to stay during your trip to Morelia.  There  isn’t a bad place to stay when you travel to Morelia but there are two hotels in particular that receive high reviews each and every time that someone stays  there.  The first is Cantera Diez Hotel Botique.  This hotel is in  front of the Morelian cathedral and has a beautiful fix of modern and colonial  infrastructure.  The hotel is pet friendly and if you book online they  offer good deals. Another hotel to look into would be Hotel de la Soledad.   You can feel the warmth of this hotel from the minute that you walk in the  door.  It is located in the historic district of Morelia  and is  walking distance to almost everything that you would want to do. The interior  courtyard with the fountains and flowers is absolutely  delightful.