Monument to Morelos on Janitzio Island

The Monument to Morelos on Janitzio Island is a 47.75-meter concrete statue depicting Morelos with his right arm raised and his left hand holding a sword. The figure stands in a triumphant pose visible from across the water.

Construction took place between 1931 and 1934 under Governor Lázaro Cárdenas of Michoacán as an expression of Mexican nationalism following the Revolution. The work emerged during a time when the nation was rebuilding its identity after years of conflict.

Inside, 56 painted panels by Ramón Alva de la Canal depict scenes from Morelos' life and Mexico's independence struggle. These artworks tell the story of a crucial time that shaped the nation.

A spiral staircase with 155 steps winds through the interior, leading to observation points at the statue's shoulder and raised fist. The climb requires physical effort but provides sweeping views of the surroundings and lake.

A room in the head section of the monument once housed personal items belonging to Morelos himself. This private collection turned the site into a shrine to the independence hero's memory.

GPS coordinates: 19.57424,-101.65194

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:44