Morelia, about 200 miles northwest of Mexico City, is one of the country's most interesting colonial cities. Its original name (Valladolid) was given to the city in 1541, after the Viceroy's birthplace in Spain. After Mexico's War of Independence, the city was renamed to honor one of its greatest heroes: Jose Maria Morelos. Morelia, a colonial city with an aristocratic atmosphere, is filled with elegant Spanish Colonial architecture; pink stone and baroque styles are everywhere. The city is extremely well preserved, and as with many Mexican colonial cities, planning regulations are rigorous and ensure that the genuine colonial look and feel is kept authentic and true. Morelia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a cathedral with twin towers of over 200 feet.