This article is about the city. For other meanings, see Morelia (disambiguation).

Aqueduct in Morelia

Morelia is the capital of the state of Michoacán in Mexico. The city is located at . In 2003 the estimated population was 568,700 people.

It is a UN designated World Heritage Site and houses many beautiful colonial buildings and churches. Downtown Morelia is an festival for the eyes in the evenings. It is wonderfully clean and has many attractions for tourists. The main interest for tourists is the Catedral de Morelia. Also interesting is the Casa del Arte where you can find a large variety of "Arte Michoacán".

The city is surrounded by road called the Libramiento ("by-pass"). Most of the population lives within this circle though the city has grown beyond that. On one side of the city is the beautiful mountain called "Santa Maria" which houses some of the best (and most expensive) residential districts, private sector schools and universities. It should be called a university town as it has about a dozen public and private sector universities. Unlike in Mexico City, the lifestyle here is slow and relaxed.

History

Morelia was founded May 18, 1541 by Antonio de Mendoza, as the city of Valladolid. Before the arrival of Columbus, the region was inhabited by a people known as the pirindas in the region of the Guayangareo valley, surrounded by the Punhuato and Quinceo hills. In 1582, Valladolid replaced Pátzcuaro as the capital of Michoacán. During the colonial period a number of religious orders established themselves in the city, allowing it to take an important place in the history of art and culture in Mexico. Important architectural sites from the colonial period include the Catedral de Morelia, the Aqueduct, the Governor's Palace, the Palacio Clavijero, and numerous churches, convents, and houses. The Conservatorio de Música de las Rosas of Morelia was the first music conservatory in the Americas.

The city is the birthplace of José María Morelos, who along with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla began the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1810. It was the birthplace of José María Morelos (1765) and of Agustín de Iturbide (1783).