Morelia is the capital and most populous city of the Mexican state of Michoacán. Located in the Guayangareo Valley in the north-central part of the state, it serves as the municipal seat of the municipality of Morelia.
The area was originally inhabited by the Purépecha and Matlatzinca cultures before Spanish control began in the 1520s. In 1541, the Spanish under Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza founded a settlement named Valladolid. After defeating its rival city, Pátzcuaro, for dominance in Michoacán in 1580, Valladolid became the capital of the viceregal province.
Following the Mexican War of Independence, the city was renamed Morelia to honor José María Morelos, a native of the city. In 1991, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved historical buildings and the layout of its historic center.