Michoacan derives from the Nahuatl terms “michin” meaning “fish”, “hua” meaning “those who have” and “can” meaning “place”, which put together means “fisherman’s place”.
Surrounding States:
N – Colima, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Queretaro
S – Guerrero and Pacific Ocean
W – Pacific Ocean, Colima and Jalisco
Created: December 22, 1823
State Capital:
Morelia 1823 – present
Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) – Morelia
Location: Avenidad Madero Pointe 63 / Calle Benito Juarez
Built: 1760 – 1770
Style: Spanish Colonial
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces west and is a two story stone structure. The building is located on the north side of the Cathedral in the city centre. The building was originally constructed as the Seminario Tridentino and consecrated by the bishop, Father Sanchez de Tagle on January 23, 1770. The interior has elegant architecture with a grand staircase. The exterior is the baroque style with balconies. The building was acquired on March 12, 1859 and became the Government Palace. On the exterior centre, panels rise from the main doorway, framed in layered mouldings, to the elegant window, covered by a mixtilnear lintel. There are bold cornices and balconies and the roof is toped by a parapet, with repeated finials. At each corner, buttresses support open towers, which add an Oriental touch to the building. There are three patios in the interior. The Governor’s Office is located on the west side of the south patio. The corridors of the main patio are supported by high on pilasters. On the east side is the grand staircase with its walls covered by murals of Mexican Independence, the Reform and the Revolution painted by Alfredo Zalce. On the second floor is the Sala de Recepciones with portraits by Cuevas del Rio.
Legislative Palace (Palacio Legislativo) - Morelia
Location: Avenida Madero Oriente 23 / Calle Pino Suarez
Built: 1897
Style: Neo-Classical
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a two story stone structure. The building is located in the city centre. The white building was purchased from Jose Maria Anzorena y Foncerrade in the 18th century and is called the “Casa del Intendente Jose Maria Anzorena”. Its present fin-de-siecle aspect dates from a remodeling in 1897. The building contained the library of the University until it became the Legislative Palace. There is an interior patio and on the north side, the patio has been enclosed to create the Legislative Chamber. The building houses the State Congress (Honorable Congreso del Estado de Michoacan).
Justice Palacio (Palacio de Justicia) - Morelia
Location: Calzada La Huerta 400
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces east and is a pink colored structure. The building is located in the Nueva Valladoid district to the southwest of the city centre. At the north end is a pink colored concrete building with large portico supported by six columns. At the south upper level is another pink colored concrete and glass building with a large glass rotunda. The buildings house the Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justicia de Michoacan de Ocampo ).
Old Justice Palacio (Palacio de Justicia) - Morelia
Location: Avenida Alledende 260 / Calle Abasolo
Built: 1682 – 1695
Style: Spanish Colonial
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is a two story stone structure. The building is located to the southwest of the Cathedral in the city centre. The building was built between 1682 and 1695 to serve as the City Hall. The building served as the casas consistoriales, seat of the viceregal government. In 1885, the building housed the Judicial Department of the State. The building was largely rebuilt in handsome eclectic style by Wodon de Sorinne in 1883 to 1895. The north façade is a mixture of French and baroque styles. There are baroque arches on the main patio, lacking corner supports on the lower floor. In the patio is a mural by Agustin Cardenas. On the second floor are pre-Hispanic decorative elements. The building now houses an art gallery.
Government Palace
Legislative Palace
Justice Palace
Old Justice Palace
Photos taken 2006