Former Jesuit College

Former Jesuit College: History, Art and Panoramic Views

The Arrival of the Society of Jesus The presence of the Jesuits in Pátzcuaro was not by chance, but a posthumous legacy of Don Vasco de Quiroga. Before his death, “Tata” had fervently requested the Order's presence to strengthen education in the province. Following efforts by Bishop Fray Diego de Chávez and with the approval of King Philip II, the Jesuits arrived in Mexico in 1572.

Pátzcuaro was so important that it was chosen as the site to found their first mission outside of Mexico City in 1573. Notable missionaries such as Fathers Juan Curiel and Juan Sánchez Baquero arrived to settle there, establishing what would become an educational beacon for the region.

The Building: Rise, Expulsion, and Abandonment Construction of the majestic building we see today began in 1585. For almost two centuries, its stone and mortar walls housed students and religious figures, until the fateful year of 1767.

Due to serious political conflicts with the Spanish Crown (Bourbon Reforms), King Charles III ordered the expulsion of the Society of Jesus from all his domains. The order, which had already been suppressed by Pope Clement XIV, had to abandon the college, leaving an immense cultural void. (The order would not be fully restored until 1814 by Pope Pius VII.)

From then on, the building lived many lives: it was a military barracks, a tenement, and, in the memory of many Patzcuaro residents, it functioned for decades as the “Vasco de Quiroga” Primary School. However, over time, the structure collapsed, remaining in ruins and abandoned for almost 30 years.

The Citizen Rescue (1990-1994) The restoration of this site is a love story for Pátzcuaro. In 1990, faced with the monument's critical deterioration, civil society took the initiative. A group of citizens formed a board determined to save the building, securing resources from the state and federal governments.

The restoration work, begun in 1992 and completed in November 1994, was exhaustive. The enormous wooden beams were salvaged, the arches were reinforced, and the courtyards were restored to their former glory, achieving an architectural result that today stands out for its sobriety and elegance.

The Cultural Center Today Currently, the Cultural Center Former Jesuit College (dependent on the Secretariat of Culture of Michoacán) is a vibrant and lively space.

• Museums and Exhibitions: It houses world-class temporary exhibition halls and spaces dedicated to popular and contemporary art.

• Graphic Workshops: It is home to important engraving and printing workshops, maintaining the educational vocation of the place.

• The Garden's "Secret": Few tourists know this, but if you walk through the building to the back, you'll find a beautiful garden and terrace offering one of the most photogenic panoramic views of the Basilica and the rooftops of Pátzcuaro. It's the ideal place to understand the city's urban layout.