Palacio de Gobierno de Jalisco

The Jalisco State Government Palace on the Plaza de Armas dates to the 17th century and is the seat of the state government. Its main draw for visitors is the staircase mural by José Clemente Orozco — one of his most powerful, showing Hidalgo as an anti-fascist symbol during the height of European totalitarianism. The mural covers the entire staircase landing and is visible during the building's public hours.

The palace is open to visitors during business hours on weekdays, and the courtyard is accessible for much of the day. The mural alone justifies the stop, even if you have already seen the Hospicio Cabañas.

things to do sight
A story
The staircase mural in the Palacio de Gobierno shows Miguel Hidalgo — the priest who launched Mexican independence in 1810 — holding a torch aloft, surrounded by the figures of slavery, fascism, and religious tyranny below him. Orozco painted it in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, and the "fascism" figure unmistakably resembles Franco. The message was not subtle and was not meant to be.