The story behind the Palacio de Cortés and its changes over time

The palace where conquistador Hernán Cortés lived during his last years in Mexico is located in the present-day city of Cuernavaca, Morelos state. is about a building of historical interest Not only because of its antiquity, since it dates back to the 16th century, but also because it One of the first military palaces built in the conquered territory by the Spaniards on the American continent.

For almost a decade, Cortes built an autocratic, selfish, and cruel personality. great publicity skillswho worked in their favor during the conquest In Mexico (1519–1521) and the following years, he was allowed to use to his advantage native chiefs, both indigenous and Spanish women, and allied officials of the Crown, with whom he was at enmity.

To read more: Inside the amazing and ancient palace of Hernán Cortés in Cuernavaca

His focus was always on entrepreneurship creation of mestizo society In the conquered territory, who fused Spanish culture and indigenous essence, and achieved peaceful cooperation between the two worlds under his command.

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A surprising discovery in the palace of Hernán Cortés

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However, in the year 1528 The Spanish Crown withdrew its accusations. and confiscated all his property, a decision which even a trip to Spain to justify himself before King Charles V could not overturn. After returning to Mexico, Cortés settled in Cuernavaca And withdrew from any public position and started a new life as an investigator.

Although his portrait is relevant in the context of the conquest of Mexico, the palace itself is equally interesting from a historical point of view: it is reflection of time and passage of time, These are 5 things to know about Palacio de Cortes in Mexico.

destroy to build

Long before the mighty stone walls that we know as the Palace of Hernán Cortés, this land was An occupied ancient pre-Hispanic Tlahuica settlement Between 1325 and 1521 AD

This place was special A ceremonial and tribute centerwhose function was to collect taxes from the population dependent on Cuauhnahuac suzerainty, which was ruled by a chief known as Yoatzin (or Itzcohuatzin).

Once it was taken over by the conquerors the entire settlement was destroyedAnd on its foundation the first palace palace was built which would undergo many changes over the years.

resources of the holy land

During a long expedition that took Hernán Cortés to present-day Honduras to reconquer the conquered territories, other Spaniards were sent by the crown They tried to take over their territory In Cuauhnáhuac.

Father Melgarejo, who was in charge of the area, initiated Build a chapel to declare it “holy land” And so that it could not be seized by the enemies of Cortes.

On his return, he recovered his property in Cuernavaca, including the newly built annex chapel, and made some modifications to the structure to unite the two buildings into one.

How will we know the date?

The works of the palace were directed by Hernán Cortés himself, reusing materials from previous Tlahuica constructions built on that site, and also using indigenous labor,

Thus, it is not surprising that an inscription of indigenous construction can be found in one of its pillars, which includes the date on which the work was completed: nahui-akatal (4-rod) According to the Aztec calendar, which corresponds to the year 1535 Of our calendar.

One building, many uses

building construction It has served various functions over many centuriesThe most notable are: the palace, the place for the artisan’s guild, the prison, the government headquarters or the emperor’s office.

Hernán Cortés’s son inherited the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca after his death, claimed his property and temporarily resided in the palace. This was the first of a series of property successions among his relatives. But eventually the palace was abandoned by its owners and Temporarily occupied by the Artisan GuildWho used their facilities to carry out various activities.

The structure had deteriorated over time, and to justify its restoration It was converted into the “Royal Prison of Cuernavaca”.Which was used during the War of Independence (1810-1821).

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It later came to be used as seat of government of the republic (1855), as the office of Maximilian of Habsburg (1864–1866), and Government Palace Headquarters Of the newly created Morelos state (1869). The Congress Hall, the City Hall and the political headquarters were added to its structure, and the pre-existing prison from previous phases was retained.

The building has currently been converted Cuauhnáhuac Regional MuseumWhere there is a collection of historical and archaeological pieces of pre-Hispanic, New Spain and national material, as well as one of the most famous murals by the artist Diego Rivera.

a mysterious funeral

During an excavation conducted in 1971 A burial tomb was discovered next to the entrance One of the oldest buildings in the palace, dating back to the 16th century.

The discovery was then cataloged as the possible burial of the Franciscan monk Juan de Leyva, who was in the service of Juana de Zúñiga de Arellano, wife of Hernán Cortés. Archaeologists had seen some marks on his bone remains I agree with the harm caused by austerity That this character had practiced during his life.

However, during renovation works carried out in 2017, two anthropologists He questioned this first hypothesis Alleging that the condition in which the body was found and its location did not agree with the principles the Catholic Church had established for burial at the time.

Thus, after a new study conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), it has been revealed that L.These remains match the pre-Hispanic burial of a Tlahuaica woman.Either from or before the Contact period, as the grave dates to between 1450 and 1500.