Government Palace of the State of Michoacan

🏛️ Cradle of Heroes and Living Murals 🎨

If you decide to visit Morelia from Pátzcuaro (remember, we're less than an hour away!), there's a building right in front of the Cathedral that isn't just government offices: it's the place where the men who gave us our homeland studied.

We're talking about the current Government Palace, a baroque jewel that holds within its walls the history of Michoacán, from the viceregal era to the vibrant colors of the master Alfredo Zalce.

🎓 From Seminary to Palace: A Story of Transformation Originally, this building wasn't built for politicians, but for students! It was built between 1760 & 1770 on land that once belonged to some nuns, to house the Tridentine Seminary of St. Peter.

Imagine walking through the same halls where, centuries ago, three giants of our history took classes:

1. José María Morelos y Pavón
2. Agustín de Iturbide
3. Mariano Michelena

The architect in charge was Thomas de Huerta, a man chosen not only for his talent, but for his "proven Christianity." He took care of every detail, from the mixing of the lime to the carving of the pink quarry stone that we admire today.

🔄 A Building with a Thousand Lives This place has seen it all. Our timeline tells you about its eventful history:

• 1771: It is officially inaugurated as a Seminary.

• 1811: It closes due to the War of Independence (difficult times!).

• Siglo XIX: It served as a barracks, a gunpowder store, and even a public library with 15,000 books.

• 1863: During Maximilian's reign, it was briefly returned to the Church.

• 1867: It definitely becomes the Headquarters of the Executive Branch, a function it still performs today.

🎨 The Murals of Alfredo Zalce: Michoacán in Color If the Baroque facade is impressive, the interior will take your breath away. At the government's request, the great muralist from Michoacán... Alfredo Zalce captured the identity of our state on the walls of the stairwell and the upper floor.

What will you see there? 👀

• Scenes from the Independence and the Mexican Revolution.

• Daily life in Michoacán: from the dances of Tierra Caliente to our beloved Lake District and fishing in Pátzcuaro.

• The majesty of the Infiernillo dam.

🚪 The Gateway to History Pause for a moment in front of the main gate. It's the original 18th-century gate, made of wood and metal. It has been a silent witness to the state's vibrant social life, suffering damage in various recent events (including complex events in 2024 & 2025). However, thanks to the meticulous and tireless restorations of the INAH, this historical jewel still stands, reminding us that the heritage of Michoacán is resilient and that history is written every day.

📍 Why visit it from Pátzcuaro? Because it's free and enriching. Entering this palace is to understand the soul of Michoacán. You can see where Morelos was raised and then admire the murals depicting how he fought for the country. It's the perfect cultural complement to your afternoon in the capital before returning to the tranquility of Pátzcuaro.