CUERNAVACA.- A piece of history that was lost for half a century is now being carefully brought back to life at the Regional Museum of the Peoples of Morelos (Murepumo). Murals from the 1930s, once hidden behind a false ceiling, are undergoing a second round of restoration to repair damage from a 2023 tropical storm.

The murals, painted by artists Eduardo Solares and Salvador Tarazona, were uncovered during a museum renovation that ended in 2022. They had been concealed for so long that their existence was almost a myth. Sadly, a storm in July 2023 caused leaks that left the paintings with humidity stains, salt deposits, and flaking paint, threatening to erase them once more.

Now, a team of independent restorers is working to save the art, a process the public can witness firsthand. "For the first time in the museum’s history, people will be able to see the restoration work in progress," said museum director Rodolfo Candelas Castañeda. "We'll have information panels explaining each step, showing everyone the importance of preserving our cultural heritage."

The murals are more than just art; they're historical documents. "These paintings help us understand the political and social uses of this building over its long life," explained restorer Estíbaliz Guzmán Solano. The building itself is a relic, dating back to the 16th century when its construction was ordered by Hernán Cortés.

The paintings tell a fascinating story on their own. One mural by Salvador Tarazona features the Tamoanchan tree, a pre-Hispanic symbol of creation. Another section of the wall reveals two paintings layered on top of each other. The older one, from 1932 by Eduardo Solares, shows graceful figures of atlantes and women. On top of that, Tarazona added his own layer in 1938, featuring pre-Hispanic decorative elements on a vibrant green background.

The current restoration work, scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2025, will involve cleaning, filling in missing sections, and carefully repainting damaged areas. The project is a race against time and the elements, but with a new level of public transparency, it’s a powerful statement about the importance of protecting a shared past.