Palacio del Obispado facts for kids
| Museo Regional de Nuevo León | |
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| Former name | Palacio del Obispado |
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| Established | September 20, 1956 |
| Location | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MX |
| Type | History Museum |
The Palacio del Obispado, which means Bishop's Palace in Spanish, is a very old building from the 1700s. It's located in Monterrey, a city in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico. People also call it El Obispado or the Bishop's Museum.
This special building was built between 1787 and 1788. It was the idea of Rafael José Verger, who was the second bishop of the Linares area. The palace sits on top of a hill called Chepa Verde. This hill is now known as Cerro del Obispado (Bishop Hill) because of the palace.
Over the years, the building has been used for many things. It was a military fort and even a public walkway. Since September 20, 1956, it has been home to the Regional Museum of Nuevo León.
Contents
The Story of the Bishop's Palace
How the Diocese Started
During the time of King Charles III of Spain, a special order from Pope Pius VI created the Diocese of Linares in 1777. A diocese is an area managed by a bishop.
The King asked the Pope to name Antonio de Jesús Sacedón as the first bishop. He was assigned in 1779. Sadly, he passed away before he could reach Linares. So, the Pope then chose Rafael José Verger to be the new bishop.
Moving the Bishop's Home
As soon as Rafael José Verger became bishop, he asked the Pope for a big change. He wanted the main home for the bishop to be moved to Monterrey. He believed Monterrey was the best place for it.
Building and Fixing the Palace
How It Was Built
The Palacio del Obispado was built at the end of the time when Spain ruled Mexico. This was called the Viceroyalty. The Franciscan Friar Rafael José Verger wanted a quiet place for rest and worship. The city hall of Monterrey gave him the land in 1787 to build it.
A Fort and a Hospital
After Friar Rafael José Verger died and Mexico became independent, the palace became a military fort. It played a very important role in defending Monterrey during several wars. These included the Mexican–American War in 1846, the Second French intervention in Mexico in 1864, the Plan de la Noria in 1871, and the Mexican Revolution in 1913 and 1914.
Towards the end of the 1800s, the Mexican government and the state of Nuevo León made an agreement. The government kept the palace building. However, about 30 hectares of the land around the hill went to the state.
From Ruin to Museum
The palace was damaged and changed over time. For many years, it was left abandoned and in ruins. It was even used as a lazaretto (a place for sick people) during epidemics in 1893 and 1903. In 1920, it was even a cabaret (a place for entertainment).
This building, now known as the Obispado, is very important for its history and architecture. The first time it was fixed up was in 1946. Ten years later, in 1956, it officially became a museum. By 1998, more parts of the building were restored, including the main corridors and the inside of the dome.
Palace Style and Design
The Bishop's Palace was built in the Spanish colonial Baroque style. This style is known for being very grand and decorative. The tower has a dome and a stone front, called a facade, with beautiful carvings. It is one of the oldest buildings in Monterrey, finished by the late 1700s.
The palace stands out because it is very large and has strong, tall walls. Its main facade, with its Baroque style and special inverted pyramid-shaped pillars, makes the dome look even more impressive. The dome itself was finished between 1853 and 1857.
The building is made of ashlar stone. This type of stone is common in the region. The palace is one of the few examples of buildings from the time of the Spanish viceroys that are still standing in northeastern Mexico.
Gallery
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Obispado museum in Monterrey
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Old Episcopal Palace in Monterrey. Print from 1901.
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Postcard that shows the United States flag flying at the palace on the 23rd of September, 1846.
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Panoramic of Cerro del Obispado.
See also
In Spanish: El Obispado para niños
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monterrey
