The Mexican city of Merida (Yucatan) has preserved architectural landmarks from different historical periods. During the trip, tourists should visit the colonial streets, ancient squares, cathedrals, palaces, residences. There are museums of anthropology, folk art, and theaters in the city center.
History of the City of Merida in the State of Yucatan
The city of Mérida is located in Mexico and is the capital of the state of Yucatán. The settlement is the largest on the peninsula. The date of Merida’s formation is thought to be 1542.
Spanish colonizers erected buildings on the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tho. Stone blocks were used as building material for residential and public buildings, squares, streets, etc. It was the first city of the Yucatan Peninsula, which was used to build other settlements.
Until the second half of the nineteenth century, Merida was considered a fortress city to protect the territory from Native Indian rebellions. The place later became a major commercial center, the cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula. Areas were built up, streetcar lines were laid, street lighting was made. New development of the city received in the period 1980-1990’s. In the area opened assembly plants, enterprises based on foreign capital.
Mérida combines the architectural traditions of Europeans, Spanish colonists and ancient peoples. The second name, White City, was given to the settlement because of the light limestone quarried and the walls of the houses decorated with white paint.
The main sights to see in Merida
The city has preserved architectural landmarks from different eras, buildings of the Spanish Conquistadors, narrow streets, cathedrals, churches, towers, palaces, defenses, gates, etc. Many sites are available for visits, exploring historic interiors, antiques, painting collections, etc.
Historic downtown
In the center of Merida there are still streets and buildings of the colonial period. In the area is located Independence Square, which was named in the 16th century. Originally here was the main source of drinking water for residents.
Nearby are the old cathedral, the municipal palace, the archbishop’s house, etc. structures. In the 17th century, the square was tiled. Later came the low steps, which have survived to the modern period.
In the southern part is a fountain, at which tourists traditionally make wishes and throw coins into the water.
In the center stretches Boulevard Paseo de Montejo, surrounded by the mansions of wealthy Merida residents and century-old trees. Concerts, festivals, dance, music and art evenings, national holidays, carnivals, performances devoted to Mayan culture are organized in squares and parks of the city.
San Ildefonso Cathedral
The Cathedral de Merida is one of the oldest cathedral structures in South America. The building was erected about 40 years and consecrated in 1598. In the cathedral there are still frescoes, a statue of the Black Christ. The temple is the largest on the Yucatan Peninsula. Prayers and services are regularly held here.
The beautiful city street Paseo de Montejo
The city’s main boulevard is part of a fashionable neighborhood with beautiful mansions, flower beds, and alleys. The boulevard was modeled on the French Champs-Elysées. The development of the street, the erection of residential buildings were eventually discontinued due to a difficult period in the industry. However, the mansions have survived.
The modern Paseo de Montejo is a commercial area with 19th-century buildings, nightclubs, expensive restaurants, boutiques, corporate offices, museums, art galleries, etc. On Sunday, traffic on the boulevard is closed.
Palacio de Gobierno
The palace is located at the north end of the Plaza Grande. The building houses the government of the state of Yucatan. Some of the rooms are open to tourists. Travelers can see frescoes by F. Pacheco, whose subjects reflect the struggle of the Maya tribes against the conquerors from Spain.
The palace has an information center for tourists. In the department you can find out the schedule of entertainment, cultural events, folk festivals, competitions, master classes of applied arts. The palace can be visited Mon-Sat (08:00-20:00).
The sightseeing on Sunday is possible from 09:00 to 17:00.
The oldest building in Merida – Casa de Montejo
The city’s ancient building, Casa de Montejo, is located at the southern end of the main square. Until the 1970s, the structure was the residence of the Montejo family, the Spanish conquerors of the Yucatan Peninsula. The construction of the mansion was begun by F. Montejo in 1542. In the entrance part there are images of conquistadors who defeated the Indians. The building now houses the Montejo Museum and Cultural Center.
Palacio Municipal Building
The municipality building is opposite the Cathedral of Mérida. The Palacio Municipal is a small building, built during the reign of S. Aguirre. The one-story stone mansion served for administrative matters. This is where the premises for the municipal prison were allocated.
Over time, the structure was modernized and changed the architectural design. As a result of reconstruction in 1928, the facade was restored and a new clock tower was added. A second floor was also added.
From the balcony offers picturesque views of the central square, old mansions, alleys.
Peon Contreras Theater
The Peon Contreras Theater is one of the popular cultural institutions in Mexico. The theater was opened in 1878 on the initiative of the local press leaders. The building was rebuilt several times. The architecture, which is seen by tourists, is preserved from the reconstruction of the XIX century. In the design used the style of academic eclectic.
The theater building is five-story, with several halls. There is an orchestra pit and a large stage in the main hall. The hall can hold up to 700-750 people. The room has spacious corridors, the second floor can be accessed by a marble staircase. In the design of the dome used images of ancient Greek goddesses.
The theater staged masterpieces of Italian opera, Spanish drama, French comedy, etc. The building has an information center for travelers.
Popular museums and exhibitions in Merida
The ancient and modern buildings of Merida house museums of anthropology, Mayan cultural history, folk art, and contemporary art and crafts galleries. Many palaces have exhibits devoted to the townspeople, the Spanish Conquistadores.
Regional Museum of Anthropology
The museum is located in a snow-white mansion built in the neoclassical style. The building is surrounded by a small park. The complex was designed by E. Deserti in 1911. The building was nationalized by the city authorities and used for public purposes. It was home to a school, then a college, and the governor’s residence. Then the cottage was transferred to the exhibitions of the Museum of Anthropology.
In the collections of the museum are stored household items of ancient people (woodwork, stone). Other halls display ancient animal bones and artifacts found on the peninsula.
Museum of Traditional Folk Art
The museum is housed in a beautiful mansion. The building was erected in the ancient quarter of the city in 1900. The mansion is 2-storey, with an elegant staircase made of Carrara marble. Subsequently, a museum was opened in the house, supporting the work of artisans and artists from Mexico.
The expositions show a variety of directions:
- textiles;
- ceramics;
- glass and stone products;
- jewelry;
- kitchen utensils;
- national costumes, etc.
The Great Museum of the Mayan World
It is an exhibition complex with exhibits on the history of the Maya tribes. The museum offers tours for adults and children with stories about Indian life in the Yucatan Peninsula. Exposures include household items, artifacts from archaeological excavations. The presentation of information is interactive. The museum is open daily (10:00-18:00). The ticket price is $2.5. The exhibitions are free to view on Sunday.
What other museums you can visit in the state capital of Yucatan
The following museum complexes are available in the city:
- Museum of Modern Art. Located in a mansion in the city center. The museum displays works by Yucatan artists, sculptures, and handicrafts. Exhibits on the second floor show textiles, embroidery, and ceremonial masks. The complex conducts master classes.
- Cocoa Museum. Located next to the plantations. The building is one-story, with racks of exhibits. During the tour tourists are told about the tradition of growing cocoa, tools, methods of processing grains, different varieties of culture. The museum visit ends with a tasting. Next to it is an orchid garden.
- Canton Palace Museum. It is located in an old mansion, built in the first half of the XX century in the style of Neo-Mannerism. The building belonged to Governor Rosado’s family. Subsequently, it was given to the museum. Exhibits include sculptures, pottery, stone products, knives, and arrows.
Interesting things to do and see in Merida
In the old town tourists can learn about the peculiarities of life of Mexicans, visit natural attractions (wildlife sanctuaries, rock formations), traditional national ceremonies, etc.
Visiting old bars (cantinas)
A popular entertainment for tourists includes visiting the old bars (cantinas). Some establishments are more than 100 years old. The bars serve mescal, made from agave, and traditional national appetizers. In the bars a simple atmosphere, in the evenings there are musicians.
Climbing in the cenotes
On the Yucatan Peninsula there are unusual underground lakes (cenotes). The rock formations were formed many thousands of years ago in karst caves. They were revered by the Maya as sacred bodies of water, delimiting the worlds of the living and the dead.
Climbing groups depart frequently from the village of Homun. Entry fees range from 50 to 100 pesos.
It is safe to visit the cenotes with a group, accompanied by a guide.
Visiting Indian ceremonies
The Yucatan Peninsula was inhabited by the Maya before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors. Therefore, Native American culture influenced the development of the city. In the modern period there are costume shows. Indian rituals are often performed in the evening by the fire. The ceremonies are accompanied by collective singing.
Location of Merida on the map of Mexico, and how to get there
The city is located in the northwest of the peninsula and is connected by highways to other localities in the region. Merida has three bus stations and an international airport. The shuttle buses come from Cancun, Mexico City.
Climate and best time to travel
The climate in the region is tropical: in high season, the average temperature is +28.5 ° C. A small amount of precipitation is observed in November and April. The weather is sunny, so during this period, a large number of tourists visit Merida. The rainy season begins in May.
Sightseeing can be combined with relaxing on the beaches. In high season the sea is warm (+23 … +25 ° C).
Exciting tours for tourists in and around Merida
In Merida, there are tours devoted to different periods of the city’s history. In the surrounding area is an ancient Mayan city Cibilchaltun, which has preserved the pyramids, structures of ancient people, places of worship.
There are bicycle rides in the Paseo Verde Park. On Sunday, many streets are closed to cars. Merida organizes field trips to archaeological sites, ancient settlements, the colonial town of Izamal, Celestun Beach, the flamingo colony and other sites.
