Former Jesuit College

At the express request of Don Vasco de Quiroga before his death, later of Bishop-elect Fray Diego de Chávez and finally of King Philip II himself in 1571, the Jesuits arrived in Mexico around 1572. They arrived in a number of 15 with their provincial, Father Pedro Sanchez.

Already in New Spain, the first house they founded was in Patzcuaro, in 1573. Fathers Juan Curiel, Juan Sánchez Baquero and the brothers Pedro Rodríguez and Pedro Ruiz de Salvatierra, who were later ordained priests, came for this purpose.

The construction of this building began in 1585. It belonged to the Jesuits until 1767, year in which they were expelled from Spain and New Spain due to serious political conflicts with the crown (before that the order had already been suppressed by Pope Clement XIV and consequently expelled from France and Portugal, being recognized again until 1814 by Pope Pius XII). From then on, the building was used for a variety of purposes, the last of which was the “Vasco de Quiroga” elementary school.

It subsequently fell into ruins and was abandoned for nearly 30 years. In 1990, a group of citizens organized themselves, forming a board of trustees to seek resources for its restoration and its immediate use for cultural activities. The work began in 1992 and culminated in November 1994 with results that can be seen in its sober and enormous exhibition halls, picturesque corridors and green gardens.

Currently the place functions as a cultural center dependent on the Ministry of Culture of Michoacán and film and theater performances are presented, some disciplines are taught and works by local, national and international artists are exhibited in its exhibition halls.