MEXICO: Merida's Mayan and Colonial History

Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatán in southeastern Mexican.

With a population of over 1.5million people it is the cultural and financial capital of the area.

It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Americas with a unique combination of Mayan, Spanish and Caribbean cultures.

Originally the city was called T’ho and was the center of the Mayan's world in the Yucatan region. 

Monumento a la Patria is a tribute to the rich history and culture of Mexico. 

 Its intricate carvings depict significant events, figures, and symbols from the country's pre-Hispanic, colonial, and revolutionary eras.

 

 

The Mayans were the original inhabitants of the area. 

In 1542 the Mayans were defeated by the Spanish and modern Merida was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo.

The Spanish quickly dismantled T’ho’s five main pyramids and used the stones from the ancient Maya buildings to construct churches, homes, and government buildings.

 

Since Merida actually sits on top of the ancient Mayan city it makes it one of the oldest cities in Mexico. 

Merida was originally built as a walled city and several of the old Spanish city gates remain.

It also has the second-largest historic center in Mexico - only Mexico City’s historic center is larger. The city’s focal point is Plaza de la Independencia, built on the foundations of a Maya temple.

The Cathedral of Mérida (begun in 1561) was built using stones from the Mayan city of T'Hó’s ancient temples. It was the first cathedral in the Americas.

Look closely, and you can see the stone with the pattern. That stone came from an ancient Mayan temple.

Also, the stones that are cut perfectly are old Mayan stones.

Many colonial-era buildings, including the Casa de Montejo (1549), were built from Mayan temple stones.  

The Casa de Montejo was the home of the Conquistador Francisco De Montejo and is on the main plaza. It is a combination of Mayan and colonial Spanish architecture. It serves as a museum now. 

Palacio de Gobierno (the Government Palace) is also on the main plaza and is open to the public. 

Inside are 27 murals depicting the violent history of Mexico and the Mayans.

The Palacio Municipal, or Municipal Palace, is another 18th century colonial-style building on the Plaza Grande, the city's main square.

 

 

The facade of this building holds the oldest shield of the City of Mérida.

These are some old street signs in the historical centro. Back in the day, not everyone could read so they used icons to identify the street names. Any guesses what the names were or what resided on these streets?

 

Mérida gets its nickname, La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), from the predominance of white limestone that was used as a building material. (Reread that to mean "the materials that the Mayans originally used." It was easier for the Spanish to use the materials from the demolished temples as a ready made supply than make their own.)

 

 

The limestone buildings help to reflect heat, keeping the streets cooler during the summer months. 

There is a mixture of architectural styles.

We don't have a car, so we are walking everywhere, which is a great way to check things out. 

Also a good way to wear off margaritas.... when in Mexico.... as you do.....