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and luxurious as the then city-state was powerful. This function as a symbol of power prompted the
Spanish to destroy it and replace it with a structure of their own. The old Tlahuica/Aztec structure is best seen in the areas in front of the current palace and in the courtyards of the same. It is one of the few Aztec era palaces that have been excavated by archeologists. However, little of the original building remains after it was destroyed by Cortés.
195:, inherited this palace. From 1629 to 1747, the family gradually abandoned it, and the building was used as an ironworks, tannery, and textile workshop. In the mid 18th century, colonial authorities ordered the restoration of the then run-down building; three architects handled the design work, with Gregorio Cayteano Durán probably executing most of the work. After restoration, the government used the building as barracks and as a jail. During the
253:
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135:, cannon, and other weapons. Nevertheless, most of the building was to serve as a residence, supported by mill, stables, gardens, ovens, and more. The main body of the palace was erected with two galleries on the west side containing four arches in each of its two levels; living quarters were built on the north and south sides. A watchtower was added when Cortés was named the Captain General and Governor of
289:, though there are pieces from most of the state's Tlahuicas and Mexicas (Aztecs) sites. Rooms devoted to the colonial period are few in number but include religious items, items related to Hernán Cortés, and items concerning trade between Mexico and Asia. The post-independence period exhibit mostly relates to the continuance of the hacienda system, especially haciendas that produced sugar through the
60:. Cortés replaced it with a personal residence to assert authority over the newly conquered peoples. As Cortés's residence, it reached its height in the 1530s, but the family eventually abandoned it due to on-going legal troubles. In the 18th century, virreinal authorities had the structure renovated and used it as a barracks and jail. During the
281:
which it sits. The museum does not do conservation work on its collection, instead relying on the INAH in
Morelos for this. Maintenance costs for the museum are high because specialized care is needed for both the collection and the building. However, much of the museum's budget is provided by INAH, especially for the building.
151:
381:, was done around and under the building. Through strategically placed wells, the project uncovered various walls, floors, burials and other elements from the Tlahuica to colonial eras. The best conserved areas are those in front of the building and in the interior courtyards. Important artifacts were recovered from the
284:
The museum has nineteen halls, which feature a collection of objects from the history of the state of
Morelos, beginning with its earliest human settlers to the present day. Many of the rooms are devoted to prehistoric and pre-Hispanic era pieces from mammoth fossils to migration maps, to pottery and
373:
The Palace of Cortés archeological site extends from under the palace itself to the main square of the city. The palace was built over a “tlatlocayacalli” or place where tribute was collected beginning with the area's
Tlahuica rulers and later the Aztecs. This tribute house was very likely extensive
179:
As Cortés's residence, the importance of the building reached its height in the 1530s, when Cortés visited it frequently. The first expansion was made between 1531 and 1535, when
Cuernavaca was made the administrative center of Cortés's domains. In 1540, Cortés traveled to Spain but could not return
336:
The palace is located on a hill at the center of the city. It was built over the ruins of a “tlatlocayacalli,” or place where tribute was collected beginning with
Tlahuica rulers, then the Aztecs. The Spanish typically built their important structure over indigenous ones that were destroyed during
229:
Because of time and the occasional earthquake, restorations were needed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of its most characteristic elements of the palace, a fifteen-meter cylindrical tower on the northwest corner, was added during this period. Further repairs were made in the late
280:
It is one of many regional museums in Mexico, which are dedicated to local history and the role the region has played in Mexico's history. This museum is considered both a historical and archeological museum because of the collection, the building it is housed in, and the archeological site upon
352:
Today, the enlarged building is the property of the federal government. It is listed by the INAH as in good condition—and at almost 500 years old, is the oldest preserved colonial era civil structure in Mexico. The building is made of local stone, using the old pre-Hispanic structure as a
353:
foundation. It contains merlons for defensive purposes, which was common for the era. There is a cylindrical tower on the northwest corner, but his was added in the late 19th century. Local lore states that there are underground passages between the palace and the
139:. Befitting the conqueror of Mexico and the Marquess of the Valley of Oaxaca, Cortés had his residence furnished and decorated richly; the walls were covered with twenty one tapestries, the chapel contained crosses and other religious items in gold and silver.
337:
the
Conquest. However, most of Spanish constructions were churches. The palace is one of few civil constructions built for this purpose. The initial construction was small, four rooms surrounding a courtyard and bounded by arches. It is modeled after the
385:
period, under those from the Aztec period, both of which are covered by the colonial era building. These artifacts established the timeline of the
Tlahuica period of Cuernavaca. Since then, more excavations have uncovered additional ruins.
142:
Due to attacks from the newly conquered people, Cortés had a genuine need for protection. During one of his visits to the palace, he was attacked by
Tlahuican warriors who tried to kill him at the place now called the
443:
243:
worked to recover the basic form of the sixteenth-century palace, using building techniques of that period and studying the archeology of the original sections. Modern materials were used to reinforce some sections.
72:
until the late 20th century, when the state government moved out and the structure was renovated and converted into the Museo
Regional Cuauhnahuac, or regional museum, with exhibited on the history of Morelos.
116:
had the pre-Hispanic building destroyed and a palace for himself built in its place. Cortés had chosen Cuernavaca for this residence because of the fertility of the lands surrounding it.
80:, it remained closed for restoration work until March 30, 2023, when it reopened as the Museo Regional de los Pueblos de Morelos, or Regional Museum of the People’s of Morelos (MRPM).
104:
On the site of this palace a tribute gathering place originally stood, first for Tlahuican rulers, then (after they conquered what is now Morelos in the 15th century) for the Aztecs.
119:
Much smaller than the building today (the central part of the extant structure, marked by the use of arches on the balconies, corresponds to Cortés's construction), the original
176:
with success. Cortés had three haciendas in the area around Cuernavaca and eventually spent most of his time in Morelos at one or another of these, especially at Atlacomulco.
147:("Devil’s Alley"). The attack is documented, though a later legend is not: it proclaims that Cortés reached safety by jumping a five-meter-wide crevice on his horse, Rucio.
226:
expanded the north end and had the stairwell and other areas redone in a then-popular French style. The palace remained the seat of state government for about a century.
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himself did not spend much time here. Instead, he spent most of his time after the conquest organizing expeditions, building ships on the Pacific coast, touring his
159:
317:
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Cortés brought his second wife, Doña Juana de Zúñiga, to live at the palace, where she stayed until after Cortés death in 1547. Their son and heir, Don
40:, built between 1523 and 1528, is the oldest conserved virreinal-era civil structure in the continental Americas. The architecture is a blend between
223:
795:
269:
239:
416:
222:, who visited Cuernavaca frequently. In 1872, the palace was made the site of the state government of Morelos. In the same year, Governor
790:
305:
800:
760:
765:
395:
500:
Adalberto Rios Szalay (March 18, 2001). "Ecos de Viaje/ Fortalezas de Mexico" [Echos of Travel/Fortresses of Mexico].
426:
661:
57:
468:
Justino Miranda (March 26, 2007). "El puente del Diablo... y de Cortés" [The bridge of the Devil… and of Cortes].
607:
357:. However, none have been found and similar stories are common in other parts of Mexico with large colonial structures.
755:
687:
Adalberto Rios Szalay (August 5, 2001). "Ecos de Viaje/ Los mitos compartidos" [Echos of Travel/Shared myths].
65:
780:
564:
48:, typical of the early 16th century colonial architecture. The building began as a fortified residence for conqueror
610:[Cuauhnauac Museum, Palace of Cortes, Cuernavaca] (in Spanish). Mexico City: Mexico Desconocido magazine
96:
215:
524:
Alejandro Rosas (June 11, 2004). "Relicario / El exilio de Cortes" [Reliquary/The exile of Cortes].
750:
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finished murals that decorate the arcade on the second floor. In 1949, a section for offices was added.
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amongst them. Mayors of Cuernavaca may also have used part of the building as their official residence.
196:
61:
664:[Tlahuica ruins near Cuernavaca] (in Spanish). Cuernavaca: Government of Morelos. Archived from
297:. There are also exhibits related to modern-day Morelos, particularly indigenous crafts and traditions.
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740:
308:. The mural was restored and protective measures added in the 1990s, funded by private groups and the
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24:, which for many years was seen as a symbol of Spanish rule over the natives of ancient Mesoamerica.
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200:
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636:[Cuauhnahuac Museum (Morelos)] (in Spanish). Mexico City: Mexico Desconocido magazine
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and his aristocratic second wife, Doña Juana Zúñiga. It was built in 1526, over a Tlahuica
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Colonial era tapestry depicting the Conquest of Mexico located in the Palace of Cortes
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was the site of the provisional government of the territory ruled by Mexican liberal
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444:"Cuernavaca: A side trip into opulence, only an hour away from Mexico's capital"
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When the palace was renovated in the 1970s, archeological work, directed by
199:, the former palace housed famous prisoners, José María Morelos y Pavon and
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tribute collection center, which was destroyed by the Spanish during the
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stone pieces. The most important Morelos archeological site covered is
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33:
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Centro Nacional de Conservación del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes
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127:, and other defensive elements, and held its own armory stocked with
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In 1526, shortly after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, the
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Between 1971 and 1973, the Department of Colonial Monuments of the
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68:. After the war, it became the seat of government for the state of
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A 16th century Spanish helmet on display at the Palace of Cortés
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37:
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272:(INAH) in the 1970s, the building was converted into the
218:. From 1864 to 1866, it served as a summer residence of
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16th century Aztec gold ornament at the Palace of Cortés
20:
Palace built in Cuernavaca by Indians in the service of
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Interior courtyard with pre-Hispanic ruins in evidence
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After Cortés's death, his son Don Martin, as the new
414:
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holdings as marquess, and introducing such crops as
608:"Museo Cuauhnauac, Palacio de Cortés, Cuernavaca"
567:[Palace of Cortes] (in Spanish). Mexico:
300:On the second floor, there is a mural painted by
732:
659:
523:
467:
276:, and on March 30, 2023 it reopened as the new
441:
160:Martín Cortés, 2nd Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca
270:Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
240:Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
123:was erected as a fortress, with thick walls,
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76:After suffering severe damage caused by the
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306:History of Morelos, Conquest and Revolution
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278:Museo Regional de Los Pueblos de Morelos.
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332:One of the interior walls of the building
316:(Congress Hall), there are works done by
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396:List of oldest buildings in the Americas
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15:
796:Spanish Colonial architecture in Mexico
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733:
691:(in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 31.
632:Felipe Solís (August–September 1994).
504:(in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 23.
662:"Ruinas Tlahuica Cerca de Cuernavaca"
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622:
528:(in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 4.
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456:
180:to Mexico; he died in Spain in 1547.
421:. New York: Routledge. p. 123.
791:Buildings and structures in Morelos
13:
214:as he fought against conservative
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812:
162:was born at this palace, but the
801:Museums established in the 1920s
761:Archaeological museums in Mexico
369:A carved stone before the palace
32:(Spanish: Palacio de Cortés) in
766:Archaeological sites in Morelos
442:Elizabeth Zach (6 April 2018).
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268:After restoration work by the
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634:"Museo Cuauhnáhuac (Morelos)"
415:John Jeffries Martin (2007).
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247:
64:, it held prisoners such as
7:
389:
216:Antonio López de Santa Anna
197:Mexican War of Independence
193:Marquéz del Valle de Oaxaca
62:Mexican War of Independence
10:
817:
472:(in Spanish). Mexico City.
274:Museo Regional Cuauhnahuac
83:
66:José María Morelos y Pavón
756:History museums in Mexico
717:18.9213389°N 99.2333750°W
660:Michael E. Smith (1997).
100:Palace of Cortés in 1878.
781:Houses completed in 1528
722:18.9213389; -99.2333750
379:Jorge Angulo Villaseñor
370:
361:The archeological site
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265:
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155:
101:
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78:2017 Puebla earthquake
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668:on September 20, 2010
418:The Renaissance World
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331:
324:The colonial building
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99:
91:
19:
713: /
565:"Palacio de Cortés"
449:The Washington Post
201:Ignacio López Rayón
145:Callejón del Diablo
751:Museums in Morelos
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347:Dominican Republic
334:
314:Salón del Congreso
295:Mexican Revolution
266:
258:
220:Emperor Maximilian
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156:
154:View of the palace
102:
94:
26:
786:1528 in New Spain
741:Palaces in Mexico
428:978-0-415-33259-0
355:cathedral complex
318:Salvador Tarajona
230:1920s. In 1930,
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771:Houses in Mexico
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575:on July 22, 2011
571:. Archived from
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339:Alcázar de Colón
312:. In the former
30:Palace of Cortés
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815:
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776:1520s in Mexico
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293:period and the
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224:Francisco Leyva
114:Hernando Cortés
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705:18°55′16.82″N
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304:in 1930, the
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291:Porfirio Díaz
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206:In 1855, the
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50:Hernán Cortés
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35:
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23:
22:Hernán Cortés
18:
708:99°14′0.15″W
698:
688:
682:
672:December 21,
670:. Retrieved
666:the original
640:December 21,
638:. Retrieved
614:December 21,
612:. Retrieved
579:December 21,
577:. Retrieved
573:the original
525:
501:
470:El Universal
469:
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302:Diego Rivera
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232:Diego Rivera
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212:Juan Álvarez
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164:conquistador
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110:conquistador
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29:
27:
720: /
383:Teopanzolco
129:arquebusses
746:Cuernavaca
735:Categories
402:References
287:Xochicalco
248:The museum
174:sugar cane
169:encomienda
34:Cuernavaca
320:in 1938.
137:New Spain
390:See also
58:Conquest
689:Reforma
526:Reforma
502:Reforma
345:in the
208:palacio
133:muskets
125:merlons
121:palacio
84:History
70:Morelos
46:Mudéjar
425:
42:Gothic
38:Mexico
54:Aztec
674:2010
642:2010
616:2010
581:2010
569:INAH
423:ISBN
44:and
28:The
341:in
737::
650:^
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589:^
534:^
510:^
478:^
458:^
446:.
349:.
131:,
36:,
676:.
644:.
618:.
583:.
452:.
431:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
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