Visit the Museo del Obispado (Museo of the Bishopric Palace) to discover artifacts showcasing the long and interesting history of Monterrey. Learn how the city developed from an isolated frontier outpost into a dominant industrial force. Enjoy spectacular views across Monterrey’s rooftops and the nearby mountain ranges. The Museo del Obispado is housed in an elegant Baroque-style bishopric palace that dates back to 1787.
Inside you’ll find 10 exhibition rooms with artifacts arranged in chronological order. Dominating the entrance hall is an oil painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe by Francisco Vallejo. See archaeological artifacts of the gatherers, hunters and fishermen that first inhabited Nuevo León, the state of Mexico in which Monterrey is located. Check out the displays that retell stories of the Spanish viceroyalty and the colonization years of the late-16th century.
Other museum highlights include exhibits of weaponry used during the Mexican-American War. Among these are the rifles and bayonets of soldiers who fought in the 1847 Battle of Angostura. Don’t miss the collection of surgical instruments that belonged to the esteemed physician and humanist Dr. José Eleuterio González. Of equal importance is the exhibition of period clothing, documents, photographs and other artifacts that showcase Monterrey’s industrial growth.
While here, be sure to visit the observation deck set on a hill above the museum. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the museum’s entrance. Marvel at the panoramic views of Monterrey and the undulating mountain range that surrounds the city. Gaze up at the giant Mexican flag, which flies atop a 328-foot-tall (100-meter) flagpole.
Located in the Obispado neighborhood, the museum is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Monterrey. Use free parking available outside the museum’s entrance and also at the observation deck. Public buses stop a short walk from the street that leads to the museum.
The Museo del Obispado is open from Tuesday to Sunday and has an admission fee. The lookout is open daily with free admission. Make an advance request for a guided tour of the museum.
