Morelia Cathedral

The Cathedral of Morelia is one of the finest baroque churches in Mexico, a pink stone structure that anchors the city's UNESCO-listed historic centre and faces onto the main plaza. It is built from the local pink quartzite that gives Morelia its distinctive warm colour, and its proportions — monumental without being crushing — make it one of the most photographed buildings in western Mexico.

Inside, the cathedral retains its 18th-century organ, extensively restored and still used for regular concerts. The interior combines baroque altarpieces with a neoclassical renovation of the nave undertaken in the early 19th century. The plaza in front of the cathedral is the social heart of Morelia — lined with portales housing cafés and restaurants, and busy at all hours. Morelia lies about 330 km west of Mexico City and is very easily reached; it makes a worthwhile overnight stop or longer.

things to do sight architecture
A story
The cathedral took over a century to complete, begun in 1640 and not consecrated until 1744, which partly explains its unusual blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and neoclassical elements — different architects over different generations left their signatures on the building. The two towers, at 64 metres, dominate the city skyline and can be seen from virtually anywhere in Morelia's historic centre.