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.


The Ancient College of San Nicolas in Patzcuaro, Michoacan
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 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 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 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
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 College Cultural Center
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


Hotel Mansion Iturbe
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



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