Centro Histórico (Historic Center) of Mérida

The beautiful “Centro Histórico de Mérida” is one of the largest in México. Here you can find many buildings constructed during the colonial era.

: Palacio de Gobierno

: Casa Montejo

: Catedral de San Ildefonso

Let’s start at the “Plaza Grande” (main square). On the north side of this plaza, you will find the “Palacio de Gobierno” (government palace) where the executive branch of our state government is located. Don’t miss the murals of the distinguished painter Fernando Castro Pacheco, in which you can observe the stories of the history of Yucatán.

The “Catedral de San Ildefonso” (cathedral), on the east side of the plaza, is the oldest church in the Americas. Its construction, made from the stones taken from the pyramids of the ancient city of T’hó, was begun in 1561 and only the first phase was completed in 1598. Here you will see the most important religious icon of Mérida: a replica of the “Cristo de las Ampollas” (Christ of the Blisters), so named because during the revolutionary movement of 1915, after setting fire to the cathedral, it was noted that the Christ figure had blisters, which was deemed a miracle.

“La Casa de Montejo” (Montejo house), on the south side of this plaza, is the oldest house in Yucatán, and is considered “Patrimonio Nacional” (national heritage). It was the residence of Don Francisco de Montejo “El Adelantado”. You can visit this museum-house starting at 10 am, the entry is free.

Another of the oldest buildings of the city is the “Palacio Municipal” (municipal palace), on the west side of the plaza. Here you can see the murals depicting Maya cosmogony and enter the city council chamber on the second floor. On the outside of the building you can see the national shield, and on the tower, a clock and Mérida’s city shield.

The Centro Histórico continues up to the Santa Lucía “barrio” (neighborhood), passing Pasaje Picheta (former Ayuntamiento), Casa del Alguacil, Centro Cultural Olimpo, ex convent Monjas, Museo Fernando García Ponce–MACAY, Pasaje de la Revolución, Teatro Daniel Ayala, Parque Cepeda Peraza, Pinacoteca Juan Gamboa Guzmán, Iglesia de la Tercera Orden, Parque de la Madre, Teatro Peón Contreras, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Teatro Armando Manzanero, Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Teatro Fantasia; as well as the barrios of Santiago, San Juan, Santa Ana, La Ermita, La Mejorada, San Sebastián and San Cristóbal.