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The Palace of Cortés (Spanish: Palacio de Cortés) in Cuernavaca, Mexico, is, at almost 500 years old, the oldest conserved colonial era civil structure in the continental Americas. The building began as a fortified residence for Hernán Cortés and his second wife Juana Zúñiga. It was built in 1526, over a Tlahuica/Aztec tribute collection center, which was destroyed by the Spanish during the Conquest. Cortés replaced it with a personal residence to assert authority over the newly conquered peoples. As Cortés’ residence, it reached its height in the 1530s, but the family eventually abandoned it. In the 18th century, colonial authorities had the structure renovated and used it as a barracks and jail. During the Mexican War of Independence, it held prisoners such as José María Morelos y Pavón. After the war, it became the seat of government for the state of Morelos until the late 20th century, when the state government moved out and the structure was renovated and converted into the current Museo Regional Cuauhnahuac, or regional museum, with exhibits on the history of Morelos. ==History== Originally, the site of this palace was a tribute gathering place, first for Tlahuica rulers, then for the Aztecs after they conquered what is now Morelos in the 15th century. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, Cortes had the pre-Hispanic building destroyed and a palace for himself built in its place in 1526. Cortés chose Cuernavaca as one of his residences because of the fertility of the lands surrounding it. The initial structure was built as a fortress, although it was much smaller than what currently stands. What is now the central part of the structure, marked by the use of arches on the balconies, corresponds to the original Cortés structure. This structure was built with thick walls, merlons and other defensive elements, as well as a well-supplied armory with arquebusiers, muskets, cannons and other weapons of the era. However, most of the building was designed as a residence with its own mill, stables, gardens, ovens and more.〔 The main body of the palace was built with two galleries on the west side containing four arches in each of its two levels, and living quarters were built on the north and south sides. The watchtower was added when Cortés was named the Captain General and Governor of New Spain .〔 As the conqueror of Mexico and the Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, the residence was richly decorated. Its walls were covered with twenty one tapestries, and its chapel contained crosses and other religious paraphernalia in gold and silver. Cortés’ need for protection against the newly conquered peoples was real. During one of his visits to the palace, Cortés was attacked by Tlahuica warriors who wanted to kill him. The place where this occurred is called the Callejón del Diablo or Devil’s Alley. The attack is documented, but the legend also states that Cortés reached safety by jumping a five meter wide crevice on his horse named Rucio. This portion is not supported by the records.〔 Cortés brought his second wife, Juana Zúñiga to live at the palace, where she stayed until after Cortés death. Their son, and Cortés heir Martín was born at this palace.〔 However, Cortés himself did not spend much time here. He spent most of his time after the Conquest organising expeditions, building ships on the Pacific coast, touring his lands as Marquis and introducing crops such as sugar cane with success.〔 Cortés had three haciendas in the Cuernavaca area, and eventually spent most of his time in Morelos at one of these, especially Atlacomulco.〔 As Cortés' residence, the importance of the building reached was at its highest in the 1530s, when Cortés visited it frequently.〔 The first expansion was done between 1531 and 1535, with Cuernavaca was made the administrative center of Cortés’ domains.〔 In 1540, Cortés traveled to Spain, but could not return to Mexico. Cortés died in 1547.〔 After Cortés’ death, his son Martin, as the Marquis del Valle de Oaxaca, inherited it. From 1629 to 1747, the family gradually abandoned it, and the building was used as an ironworks, tannery, and textiles workshop.〔 In the mid 18th century, colonial authorities ordered the restoration of the run-down building. Three architects handled the design work, but most is thought to have been done by Gregorio Cayteano Durán.〔〔 After restoration, the government used the building as a barracks and as a jail. During the Mexican War of Independence, it housed famous prisoners, such as José María Morelos y Pavon and Ignacio López Rayón.〔〔 It is also possible that mayors of Cuernavaca used part of the building as the mayoral residence.〔 In 1855, it was the site of the provisional government of the country of Juan Álvarez as he fought against Antonio López de Santa Anna. From 1864 to 1866, it was the residence of Emperor Maximilian as he made frequent visits to Cuernavaca.〔 In 1872, the palace was made the site of the Morelos state government. This same year, Governor Francisco Leyva expanded the north end, and had the stairwell and other areas redone in French style, which was popular at the time. The palace remained the government seat for about a century.〔〔 Because of time and the occasional earthquake, new renovation efforts were needed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, one of its most characteristic elements, a fifteen metre cylindrical tower on the northwest corner, was added.〔〔 Further repairs were made in the late 1920s and in 1930, Diego Rivera finished murals that decorate the second floor arcade. In 1949, a section for offices where added.〔 Between 1971 and 1973, the Department of Colonial Monuments of Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia worked to recover the basic form of the palace as it was in the 16th century, using building techniques from that time and studying the archeology of the original sections. Modern materials were used to reinforce some sections.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Palace of Cortés, Cuernavaca」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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