MORELIA (formerly Valladolid), a city of Mexico and capital of the State of Michoacan, 125 m. direct and 234 m. by rail W. by N. of the city of Mexico, near the southern margin of the great Mexican plateau, 6,398 ft. above sea-level, in lat. 19° 42' N., long. Ioo° 54' W. Pop. partly In dians and mestizos. Morelia is served by a branch of the Mexi can National railway; its station is outside the city, with which it is connected by a small tramway line. The city is built on a rocky hill risipg from the Guayangareo valley, which gives to it a strikingly picturesque appearance. It has the usual rectangular plan, with several pretty squares and straight, clean, well-paved streets. Facing the plaza mayor, now called the Plaza de los Martires because of the execution there of the patriot Matamoros in 1814, is the cathedral, one of the finest specimens of the old Spanish Renaissance church architecture in Mexico.
Opposite the cathedral is the Government palace, which also contains the public library. The municipal government is housed in an ancient tobacco factory converted to public uses, and a fine old Capuchin convent now serves as a public hospital. The Paseo, or public park, is distinguished for its fine trees and flowers.
The Morelianos are noted for their love of music, and musical competitions are held each year, the best band being sent to the city of Mexico to compete with similar organizations from other States. The public water-supply is brought into the city over a fine old aqueduct (3 m. in length, carried on arches), which was built in 1785 by the bishop of the diocese as a famine relief work.
Like the rest of Michoacan, Morelia is a stronghold of clericalism and conservatism. Its manufactures include cotton, woollen and silk textiles, cigars and cigarettes, and dulces, or sweetmeats, notably a variety called Guayabate.
Morelia, first known as Valladolid, was founded in 1541 by Viceroy Mendoza. In 1582 Valladolid replaced Patzcuaro as the capital of Michoacan. It was the birthplace of both Morelos and Iturbide, and was captured by Hidalgo at the beginning of the rev olutionary outbreak of 181 o-11, and by Itarbide in 1821 when on his march to Mexico City. Its name was changed in 1828, in honour of the revolutionary leader Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, and in 1863 it was made the see of an archbishop.