Palace of Cortés, Cuernavaca, Colonial fortress in central Cuernavaca, Mexico
The Palace of Cortés is a two-story stone building with thick walls located in downtown Cuernavaca. It stands on the foundation of an earlier Aztec pyramid, creating a layered structure that mixes Spanish colonial construction with pre-Hispanic elements.
Hernán Cortés built this structure between 1523 and 1528 shortly after the Spanish conquest of the region. It stands as one of the oldest remaining buildings from the early colonial period in the Americas and marks the beginning of Spanish settlement in the area.
The second floor houses Diego Rivera's mural 'Historia del Estado de Morelos,' depicting events from the Spanish conquest through the Mexican Revolution.
Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekends, making it easier to move through the building at your own pace. The layout moves straightforwardly from ground floor to upper level via stairs, so the visit is simple to navigate.
Visitors can spot exposed sections of the original Aztec pyramid in the ground floor if they look closely. These visible remains show how early Spanish builders reused and incorporated existing foundations rather than demolishing them completely.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Xochicalco
14.6 km
El Tepozteco
16.5 km
Lagunas de Zempoala National Park
17.5 km
Cuernavaca Cathedral
380 m
Teopanzolco
1.6 km
Hacienda Cocoyoc
26.5 km
Coatetelco
23.9 km
Casino de la Selva
1.5 km
Papalote Museo del Niño
1.5 km
El Tepozteco National Park
16.5 km
Museo Morelense de Arte Contemporáneo Juan Soriano
364 m
Tepoztlán Ex Convento Museum
15.8 km
Robert Brady Museum
339 m
Inglesia, Capilla, Reyes Magos, Tetela del Monte, Cuernavaca
4.9 km
Proyecto Siqueiros La Tallera
3.2 km
Museo Universitario de Arte Indígena Contemporáneo, Cuernavaca
458 m
Piramide Tlayacapan
24.6 km
La Cerería
26.6 km
Museo CAssa Gaia
106 m
Volcán El Palomito
19.7 km
Finca Palmira
5.1 km
Museo Del Ferrocarril
21.8 km
Estación Yautepec
18 km
Iglesia. De Chamilpa
5.5 km
Casa Domingo Hotel Petit
22.4 km
Saint John the Evangelist church
15.4 km
Cine Teatro Morelos
425 m
Puente Porfirio Díaz
1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes