Don Vasco de Quiroga and his Legacy for Michoacán

For us in Michoacán, the mere name “Don Vasco de Quiroga” has a great impact.  He was a Spaniard who arrived here in 1533 – almost 500 years ago.  He came to New Spain as a judge of the Second Audience to gather information about the conditions that prevailed at the time, investigate the excesses of the First Audience – especially those of one Nuño de Guzmán – and examine the conditions of the lives of the indigenous people.

Don Vasco de Quiroga: Statue in his honor in Pátzcuaro at Vasco de Quiroga Square

Come to Pátzcuaro and the surrounding areas and discover a place where you will experience a living culture.  Enjoy our cultural and sustainable tourism in a different way.  Take in our culture and natural wealth, witnessing the developing of the communities of our region.

Discover the legacy of Tata Vasco and follow La Ruta de Don Vasco, whereby you will be able to understand the great dimension of his work in Michoacán during the time of evangelization.  He was a protector of the indigenous people and a promotor of their education.

Don Vasco de Quiroga: Mural located at the House of the Eleven Patios

Get to know the work done by Don Vasco de Quiroga, who brought to New Spain – and especially to Michoacán – the ideas of Renaissance humanism.

Don Vasco de Quiroga: Mural in his honor at the Old Jesuit College Cultural Center

Don Vasco de Quiroga tried to create a fairer society.  He was inspired by the Utopia of the English humanist Thomás Moro: a social model that recognized the respectability of indigenous people, as well as their capabilities.

Proof of the above is folk art. Don Vasco de Quiroga came across an artisanal heritage of the Purépecha people and was able to see their creativity. Seeing this, he implemented new techniques and perfected existing techniques; incorporating some elements that were perhaps even alien to the Purépechas.

Don Vasco de Quiroga: Statue in his honor at Vasco de Quiroga Square in Pátzcuaro

Thus, as you visit the different communities, you will be able to observe the result of the religious melding that took place. An example is the cane-paste figures, which amazed the evangelizers with their lightness. Used by the indigenous people to create images of their deities, and later used to create Christian images, they are genuine jewels of Mexican colonial art.

The Lord of the Third Order in Patzcuaro, during the Holy Week Procession

Don Vasco de Quiroga sought to compartmentalize the unique abilities of each community, taking into account the materials of the region and its existing traditions. The intention was to minimize competition between communities, allowing one to specialize in, say, hats, another in masks, etc.

Vasco de Quiroga: Painting in his honor at Hotel Mansión Iturbe in Pátzcuaro

Another ingenious project of Don Vasco de Quiroga was his concept of “hospitals.”  Having nothing to do with the western concept of “hospitals,” they would be safe, collective areas for members of a community to gather for pious practices, but also sharing meals and learning new trades.

We at Hotel Mansión Iturbe suggest that when you visit the Lake Pátzcuaro Region, be sure to visit Santa Fe de la Laguna, site of the first pueblo hospital in Michoacán; that served as a model for others that were put up in various parts of the state.

Don Vasco de Quiroga: Statue in his honor in Santa Fe de la Laguna, at the Lake Patzcuaro Region

Later, in 1538, Don Vasco de Quiroga was appointed Bishop of Michoacán. In 1540, he moved the headquarters of the Bishopric from Tzintzuntzan to Pátzcuaro.

We Michoacanos are proud of the great legacy of our beloved Tata Vasco.  Come and take in our architecture, folk art, gastronomy, music, and dance. This and much more is part of the great influence of Don Vasco de Quiroga, a Spanish humanist originally from Madrigal de las Altas Torres, who left his mark on our Land.

Vasco de Quiroga: Painting in his honor at Hotel Mansión Iturbe in Pátzcuaro

*Text and picture property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.

We invite you to check more post in our blog, you will find information about Pátzcuaro and its surroundings that we hope will be useful for your next trip to our colonial town in Mexico.

Here are some post that we suggest you:

Sustainable Vacations in Patzcuaro

Six "Artisan Crafts Routes" of Patzcuaro

Ten places to enjoy the nature near Patzcuaro

Hotel Mansión Iturbe
Portal Morelos 59
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga

61600 Pátzcuaro, Michoacán.

México

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