Visit the Casa Natal de Morelos to discover the life and struggles of one of Mexico’s most famous freedom fighters. View stunning artwork and see genuine examples of clothing worn in some of Mexico’s most historically significant battles.
Casa Natal de Morelos translates to “the house where Morelos was born.” José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón, to give him his full name, was one of Mexico’s most famous revolutionaries. Known for his attempts to bring down the royalist government and install a new democracy, he was eventually caught and executed in 1815. In 1965, the simple brick building in which he was born was turned into a museum dedicated to his memory.
Explore three separate rooms which tell the story of Morelos’ early life, participation in the war and eventual trial and death. In the war room, several exhibitions showing replica clothing and weapons allow you to get an understanding of life during the battle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. Continue to the next room to learn the story of the freedom fighter’s death and see his military jacket and the scarf used as a blindfold during his execution. You will also see the eternal torch that lights the exact spot of Morelos’ birth.
Don’t miss four portraits of Morelos by Mexican artist Alfredo Zalce and a copy of Morelos' signature. This is accompanied by his famous phrase: “where I was born was the garden of New Spain.” Stroll through the museum’s neoclassical courtyard and you will see a large statue of the man himself. Explore the library where 23,000 volumes devoted to his life and the country’s history are available to view.
The museum is located on the corner of Calles Corregidora and Garcia Obeso, close to the city centre and a short walk from the cathedral. Casa Natal de Morelos is open daily and entry is free.