Patzcuaro - a journey to the heart of knowledge of New Spain
Pátzcuaro was an unprecedented center of knowledge in New Spain and visitors can still confirm this by visiting the Ancient College of San Nicolas Obispo, founded in 1540 and the Old Jesuit College Cultural Center in 1585.
Both areas are located a short distance from our Hotel Mansion Iturbe and are, without a doubt, two of the must-see places in Patzcuaro.
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| The Ancient College of San Nicolas in Patzcuaro, Michoacan |
On your next tour through our Magical Town,
let your imagination take you back to the XVI century, when Patzcuaro was
a bustling educational center, imagine the cobblestone streets full of students
eager to learn, where Indians and Spaniards shared their
knowledge and traditions.
Let your imagination guide you and discover
the cultural and intellectual richness that this magical town holds.
You will see Patzcuaro with a different vision.
But what caused Patzcuaro to
flourish as an important center of knowledge during colonial times?
The creation of the College of San Nicolas Obispo,
founded by Don Vasco de Quiroga, was decisive. It
was the first institution of higher education in New Spain, where an
unprecedented cultural interaction took place: The young Spaniards studied with the
young people of the native peoples, being a center of knowledge and coexistence.
The Ancient College of San Nicolas in Patzcuaro, Michoacan
The main objective of this educational center was the training of indigenous clergymen. At the Ancient College of San Nicolas Obispo, cultural exchange was encouraged. Respect for cultural diversity and experiential learning were instilled. It was an innovative educational system for the time, based on integral education and manual labor.
Don Vasco de Quiroga's commitment to “interculturalism” continues
to inspire new generations of Michoacanos, especially in our region.
The great legacy of Don Vasco de Quiroga
with the College of San Nicolas is still valid today, as this school is
the forerunner of the renowned Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de
Hidalgo, which is currently located in Morelia and holds a prominent
place in the history of Mexico.
The Ancient College of San Nicolas Obispo is currently a museum, which we highly recommend to our guests at Hotel Mansión Iturbe; plus, the distance from our Hotel and the Museum is only two blocks up the hill, right on the corner; you can’t miss it.
This museum with its beautiful architecture
is highly recommended if you want to learn more about folk art and crafts of
the communities. It has a rich collection of pieces ranging
from pre-Hispanic to the present, which will allow you to learn about the
traditions and craft techniques of Michoacan.
Right across the street of this important museum, there is another
place to enjoy art and culture in Patzcuaro, the Old
Jesuit College Cultural Center.
The construction of this historic building
began in 1580, several years after the death of Don Vasco de Quiroga. In
1597, it passed into the hands of the Society of Jesus, founding the College,
with the objective of evangelizing the indigenous people and establishing the
Catholic faith in the region. Thus, for more than 150 years, it was an
important educational center for the Novo-Hispanic elite, including indigenous,
mestizos and Creoles. It is important to emphasize that it was the second
Jesuit school founded in New Spain, after the Colegio de San Idelfonso in
Mexico City.
In 1767, the Jesuits abandoned Patzcuaro,
due to the expulsion of the Order of the Society of Jesus from New Spain,
decreed by King Charles III.
The Old Jesuit College Cultural Center in Patzcuaro
The Old Jesuit College Cultural Center was a place of
great prestige, which attracted students from different parts of the
viceroyalty. Walking through its corridors and old classrooms reminds us of the
greatness of this space. A true hotbed of intellectuals, in this place
different types of classes were taught, such as philosophy, theology, classical languages,
music, plastic arts, and biology and anatomy. Today we can
still see on its walls didactic murals from
that era.
Didactic Murals at the Old Jesuit College Cultural Center in Patzcuaro
In short, Patzcuaro was
an educational center of vital importance in New Spain, the legacy of its
educational institutions endures over time and was fundamental in the formation
of the cultural identity of the region, strengthening the values and traditions
that endure to this day.
The Old Jesuit Cultural Center in Patzcuaro, Michoacan
On your next visit to our Magical Town,
delve into the history of Patzcuaro and visit these emblematic schools,
which were the cradle of knowledge. A priceless treasure that reminds us of the
rich history and deep educational vocation Patzcuaro has
had throughout time.
*Text, pictures and video property of Hotel Mansion Iturbe.
We invite you to check more post in our blog, you will find information about Patzcuaro and its surroundings, that we hope will be usefull for your next trip to our colonial town in Mexico.
Here are some post that we suggest you:
Fourteen points of interest about Patzcuaro
The Seven Artisan Groups in Patzcuaro
Traditional Cuisine of Michoacan and experience to relish
Portal Morelos 59
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Patzcuaro, Michoacan
México
For more information about our Hotel in Patzcuaro
Reservations online at Hotel Mansion Iturbe
Tels: +52 (434) 342 0368 / 342 3628
Fax: +52 (434) 342 3627
GDS CODES:
Amadeus: ON MLMMAN
Sabre: ON 16297
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