Municipal Palace of Pátzcuaro

Municipal Palace of Pátzcuaro

Strategically located on the west corner of Plaza Vasco de Quiroga (Portal Hidalgo No. 1), this building is much more than a collection of bureaucratic offices. It is a vibrant space where viceregal history, contemporary art, and the decision-making processes that shape the city's future coexist.

🏛️ History: The Royal Tobacco Customs House

To understand this building, we have to look back, to the year 1790. Unlike the family mansions on the square, this building was born with an administrative purpose: it was built to house the The Royal Tobacco Customs House.

• The Monopoly: In the 18th century, tobacco was strictly controlled by the Spanish Crown (the “Estanco”). This place served as collection offices and the residence of the “Factor”, the royal official in charge of this powerful monopoly.

🧱 Architecture: Unique Details

Its past as a viceregal public building gave it unique architectural characteristics:

• The Octagonal Access: The main entrance is not in the center of the facade, but rather set into the corner (chamfered corner). This solution allowed officials to visually monitor the flow of traffic on the two main streets.

• The Bell Tower: Above the door you will see a small stone structure for a bell, historically used to mark civil hours and curfews.

• 🕰️ The Palace Clock (A Centennial Jewel): Crowning the bell tower is an element that breaks with the viceregal style. It is a Porfirian clock made in France, which was solemnly inaugurated on September 16, 1910 to commemorate the Centennial of Mexico's Independence. It was the work of the then-mayor, Luis Ortiz Lazcano, who sought to modernize the plaza by creating this curious visual mix: 20th-century European industrial machinery mounted on the old Baroque stone structure.

🎨 Inner Treasures: Murals and Coats of Arms

The Palace is a must-see cultural destination for two reasons:

1. Mural “A Brief History of Pátzcuaro”: The interior walls showcase the work of the master Juan Torres Calderón (inaugurated in 2019). It is a vibrant visual narrative that ranges from the grandeur of the Purépecha Empire and the utopia of Don Vasco, to the living traditions of today.

2. The Coat of Arms: Here you will find the representation of the official coat of arms granted by King Charles I in 1553, which describes the essence of the city: a church on a rock next to the lagoon, flanked by the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

💼 A Visitor Service Building

Today, the Palace is the nerve center for culture and tourism. Here you will find:

• Ministry of Tourism and Culture: This is the main headquarters for these departments. If you need official guidance, maps, or information about cultural events, this is the place to go.

• Directorate of Crafts: From here, the promotion of the region's craft sector is managed, coordinating fairs and exhibitions.

• City Hall and Historical Archive: Where the city's decisions are made and its documentary memory is safeguarded.

• Exhibition Hall: A gallery dedicated to temporary art and photography exhibitions.

ℹ️ Practical Information

• The Best Angle: Go up to the balcony of the Town Hall or to the corridor on the upper floor. From there you'll have a privileged perspective: the solemn profile of the statue of Don Vasco dominating the vastness of the Plaza Grande.

• El Mejor Ángulo: Sube al balcón del Salón de Cabildo o al corredor de la planta alta. Desde ahí tendrás una perspectiva privilegiada: el perfil solemne de la estatua de Don Vasco dominando la inmensidad de la Plaza Grande.

💡 Expert Note (For your visit)

Pátzcuaro had two customs houses:

1. This (City Hall): Controlled tobacco.

2. Ponce de León Street (Hotel Casa de la Real Aduana): It controlled general trade and the goods of the Manila Galleon. Visit both to compare their facades!