Independence Square is located in the city center.
There is an ancient monument to the Heroes of Independence, which was erected here on August 10, 1809.
Independence Square received its modern name in the sixteenth century. Since its creation, the square has been rebuilt more than once. Originally, this was the main source of water for local residents, and therefore it was always crowded. A little later, historically significant buildings began to appear here.
On Independence Square there are the ancient Cathedral, the Carondelet Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Archbishop's Palace.
The first tiles appeared here in the seventeenth century. And in the nineteenth century, low steps were built at the entrance to the square. It has remained in this state to this day.
There is a fountain in the southern part of Independence Square. Everyone who approaches the fountain must make a wish and throw a coin into the fountain to make it come true.
Merida City Museum
The Municipal Museum of Mérida is a museum that houses exhibits depicting the political and cultural development of Mexico. The city museum was created in 1986. It is located in the former Temple of San Juan de Dios, built in the 17th century. The museum has several halls. Each of them houses exhibits dating back to a specific era. In the “Antiquities” hall, tourists are presented with objects whose origin dates back to the year 900 AD. Here you can see zoomorphic engravings, clay vessels, as well as the first decorations.
The Hall of Military Glory houses items related to military actions in which Mexico participated. Guns, daggers, revolvers, as well as military uniforms of commanders-in-chief and ordinary soldiers are stored here. The museum has created a special exhibition of paintings and graphics. It features works by local artists. The Merida City Museum is open daily from ten in the morning to eight in the evening.
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Merida city center
Merida is the cultural and spiritual capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, as if frozen in the colonial past with its narrow streets, wide squares, beautiful women and gallant men.
Merida was founded in the mid-16th century and became the first city built by Spanish colonialists in the state of Yucatan on the site of an ancient Mayan settlement. Limestone was once mined here, so the city center is almost entirely white - it’s not for nothing that Merida received the nickname “White City”.
The architectural appearance of the old city is full of special colonial charm. From its founding until the mid-19th century, Merida was a fortified city, but almost nothing remains of its military past. But a lot remains from those years when Merida was the largest trading center and had more millionaires than any other city in the world.
First of all, this is the monumental boulevard Paseo de Montejo, built in the image and likeness of the Champs Elysees in Paris, surrounded by expensive mansions and centuries-old trees. Today Paseo de Montejo is the most fashionable area of the city: expensive restaurants, dance clubs, hotels, offices of large companies, etc. are located here. One of the most notable buildings on the boulevard is undoubtedly the Palacio Canton, which houses the Regional Museum of Anthropology.
Not far from the main boulevard are the central square Plaza Grande, the main cathedral of Merida, which is considered one of the oldest on the American continent, the Palacio de Gobierno, where the government of the state of Yucatan works, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Casa de Montejo (the oldest building in city) and many other attractions.
Almost every evening in numerous parks and squares in the city center there are free concerts, creative and dance evenings, as well as holidays, folklore performances and carnivals dedicated to Mayan culture and traditions.
Kite Club Yucatan is one of the largest water sports centers in Mexico. On the territory of a private club, owned by American athletes, there is a kite surfing school, a small hotel and a restaurant.
The club is located on the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. This place is famous for its winds and moderate warm climate. The strongest winds blow in the Yucatan from April to June, and during this time the club is filled with water kite enthusiasts who specially come to Mexico to practice their skills.
The club operates a kite surfing school; instructors teach classes for both experienced athletes and green beginners. Club Yucatan is developing as a major tourist center - club specialists organize water cruises, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, excursions to coastal caves and tours to abandoned and flooded cities of the ancient Mayans.
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Merida Cathedral
The Cathedral of Saint Ildefonso in Merida is the largest religious building in Mexico and is considered the second largest cathedral in the New World. This majestic building has a dramatic aura surrounding it. During its construction, the Spanish conquerors used the Mayans as cheap labor, forcing the indigenous people to destroy their own city in order to exalt the new culture that came to the New World. Some of the stones that make up the cathedral are stones from destroyed Mayan temples.
Saint-Ildefonso was built in 1561 with the blessing of Pope Pius IV. The architect of the cathedral is Juan Miguel de Aguero. The interior of the cathedral is quite simple. But its echoing sacred space does not need decoration. The scale and grandeur of the building in its simplicity is stunning. And one of the most impressive and impressive elements of the interior is the huge crucifix inside the cathedral.
The most popular attractions in Merida with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Merida on our website.
More attractions of Merida
Have you heard about the most beautiful city in Yucatan? Let's go, Merida is waiting for us! What to see, where to stay, photos and reviews.
On a picturesque peninsula, caressed by the tropical sun, rises one of the most beautiful Mexican cities - Merida. This the city, sometimes called white, is the largest populated area in Yucatan, at the same time being the capital of the state of the same name.
Merida is located in the flat part of the peninsula, in the very place where a meteorite collided with the Earth more than 60 million years ago, which, according to some scientists, caused the death of dinosaurs. Today the Chicxulub crater, left over from that prehistoric disaster, is a natural monument and is open to everyone.
The heritage of Spanish architecture in Merida - cozy courtyards
History of Merida
Before the arrival of the conquistadors, on the site of Merida stood an Indian city known as Ichkanzijo or Tho, which literally means “city of five hills.” These same five hills were the well-known temple pyramids, which served as the main shrine for the locals. Tho himself remained the capital of Mayan culture throughout the entire Yucatan for hundreds of years. The Spaniards captured Tho in 1542, at which time the city received its real name. Later, the ruins of the Indian buildings were dismantled, and the stones were used to build administrative and residential buildings, as well as city walls.
Today, walking around Merida, you can see here and there the ancient stones of the city of Tho. The clearest example of this kind of architecture is the Cathedral of San Ildefonso. Among other things, Merida is the first city that the Spaniards built in Yucatan; all later buildings in this region were built by analogy.
The heyday of the city of Merida occurred in the period from the late 19th - early 20th centuries; at that time the city actively traded in henequin - raw materials for rope, paper and matting.
Evidence of the success of the city and the wealth of its inhabitants in those days is the huge number of luxurious mansions built in those “fat” years on Paseo de Montejo - Avenue, which today is very popular among tourists coming to vacation on the Yucatan Peninsula. Today these mansions are occupied by offices of large banks, all kinds of companies, etc.
What is interesting about the city of Merida
What to see first: the historical center of Merida
Colonial mansions from the heyday of Merida
Modern Merida is a symbiosis of many cultures, home to the descendants of Spanish colonizers, English traders and, more than anywhere else in Mexico, descendants of the Mayan Indians. The mixture of European and indigenous cultures is also evidenced by the dialect spoken here. It is a mixture of Old Spanish, Classical Spanish and Mayan. In addition, here you can hear the ancient Mayan language - Yucatecan.
The formation of a unique culture in Merida is due to a rather long period of natural isolation of the city from mainland Mexico.
This city, sometimes called white, is the largest settlement in the Yucatan, and is also the capital of the state of Merida of the same name.
The city has preserved many ancient traditions, one of which is the celebration of Hanal Pixan, a holiday similar to the Mexican Day of the Dead and pagan Halloween. During the holiday, from November 1st to 2nd, the city is decorated with cardboard skeletons and skulls, and processions of mummers with lit torches and lamps parade through its streets.
What to see in Merida
Unfortunately, all that remained of the old Indian town was the street layout, the buildings were dismantled and their place was taken by the Spanish colonial style architecture that can be seen today. The historical center of Merida is considered one of the largest in all of Latin America and is second in size only to Mexico City and Havana.
In addition, in the city you can visit a number of large museums, such as archaeological, historical and modern art museums. To increase the tourist popularity of the city of Merida, city authorities annually organize street exhibitions to which they invite sculptors and artists from all over the world.
And, of course, it would not be Mexico if here, as in any other city in the country, it was impossible to see a huge number of ancient churches and temples.
Cathedral, Merida
Merida (Spain) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Merida with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Merida (Spain)
Merida is an ancient city in southwestern Spain. Located on the Guadiana River and is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. Merida is the Spanish Rome. Here are the majestic ruins of ancient buildings, which are the largest on the Iberian Peninsula and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Roman city of Emerita Augusta was founded in the 25th century BC. At that time it was the largest settlement in the Pyrenees and the capital of the province of Lusitania. The ancient era left Merida with a unique heritage in the form of ancient ruins that can be found in the eastern part of the historical center.
Geography and climate
Mérida is located on the Ruta de la Plata on the Guadiana River, in the center of the Extremadura region, north of the province of Badajoz. The climate is Mediterranean. Winters are mild, with lows that rarely fall below 0 °C, and summers are hot, with highs that sometimes exceed 40 °C. As for precipitation, annual amounts typically range from 450 to 500 mm. The wettest months are November and December.
Best time to visit
Best time to visit: April-June and September-October.
Practical information
- Population - 55.7 thousand people.
- Area - 865.6 square kilometers.
- Language - Spanish.
- Currency - euro.
- Visa - Schengen.
- Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
- Tourist information centers are located: Plaza Margarita Xirgu and C / Santa Eulalia, 62.
Story
Merida was founded by the Romans in 25 BC during the reign of Emperor Octavian Augustus. In antiquity, the city was called Emerita Augusta and was the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. It was the largest and most prosperous city in Iberia, and was home to a large military garrison. The Romans built numerous structures here: a bridge over the Guadiana, an amphitheater, a theater, and an aqueduct. The 800-meter bridge has been perfectly preserved to this day and was one of the largest structures of its kind in the entire Roman Empire.
After the collapse of the great empire, Merida belonged to the Visigoths. A bishopric was formed here, and the city itself became one of the main religious centers on the Iberian Peninsula. In 713, Merida was captured by the Arabs, who built the Moorish Alcazaba on the ruins of an ancient ancient fortress.
Roman theater in Merida The city was recaptured from the Moors in 1230 by King Alfonso IX of León. He placed it at the disposal of the Order of St. Santiago. In the 19th century, the rich historical and cultural heritage was damaged during military conflicts and as a result of industrialization.
How to get there
Merida has access to the Ruta de la Plata (Gijon - Seville) and A5 (Madrid - Badajoz - Lisbon) motorways. In addition, Merida is a key railway center for trains to Madrid, Lisbon, Seville, Badajoz, Caceres. There are also regular bus services to these cities. The nearest airports are 50 km (Badajoz Airport) and 200 km (Seville Airport).
Shopping and purchases
The main shopping area is located in the area of Santa Eulalia, Félix Valverde Lillo, Rambla, Moreno de Vargas. To buy typical products, souvenirs and archaeological reproductions, the best place to go is Calle José Ramón Melida and the area around the National Museum of Roman Art. In the western part of Merida there are several shopping centers and large supermarkets.
Food and drink
Mérida's gastronomy is characterized by natural flavors, high quality ingredients and simplicity. There is a gastronomic tradition of cold dishes: southern-style cold soups (gazpacho, ayoblanc), salads. Another typical feature of the cuisine is the variety of Spanish tapas. All dishes go well with a glass of local Ribera del Guadiana wine.
Attractions
The main attractions of Merida are the ancient ruins and buildings from the Roman Empire.
Sights of antiquity
The Roman Theater is one of the symbols of Merida, a magnificent ancient monument built by Agrippa in 16 BC. and rebuilt in the 1st century AD after a fire during the reign of Hadrian. It is very well preserved and has been beautifully restored. The theater has the shape of an ellipse. It could accommodate 6,000 spectators. The back wall of the stage buildings has magnificent sculptural decorations. In ancient times, behind them there was a garden that served as a foyer. The theater is still used for various cultural events and activities.
There is a museum of Roman art nearby. It contains a magnificent collection of Roman antiquities found in Merida: ancient coins, sculptures, glassware, ceramics and tombstone wall paintings. The museum was built on top of archaeological sites, and excavations are being carried out in the basement.
The amphitheater is located next to the ancient theater. It was built in 15 BC and accommodated about 15,000 spectators. Gladiator fights were held here. After the ban on fighting, the amphitheater was dismantled. Interestingly, even naval battles were held in its bowl. The stage could have been flooded with water allowing small vessels to float.
Next to the Roman amphitheater are the ruins of a Roman villa. In this area, several rooms decorated with frescoes, corridors with mosaics and beautiful open space, and the remains of thermal baths have been preserved.
The Temple of Diana is a majestic ancient religious building that is one of the most beautiful Roman buildings in Merida. The temple building is a peripterus - a rectangular structure framed by columns. The granite columns have Corinthian capitals, typical of Roman architecture. Archaeologists believe that there was a garden with a pond next to the building. In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a palace for the Duke of Corbos, but the ancient structure is still visible.
The Roman Hippodrome is a unique (for Spain) ancient structure located in the northwest of the amphitheater. Used as a place for chariot races and later for war games. The circus has a rectangular shape and is divided in the middle by a longitudinal platform. The arena where the races took place and the seating are still visible. The ancient hippodrome is one of the best preserved structures of its type in Europe.
The Arch of Trajan is an impressive ancient Roman triumphal arch. Located in the city center a little north of Plaza de España. The Arch of Trajan is 15 meters high and was the northern gate to Emerita Augusta.
Los Milagros is an ancient Roman aqueduct that supplied water to the ancient city from a reservoir located 10 km away. The ancient Roman dam used to create a reservoir on the Abarregas River is still visible. The aqueduct is a massive engineering structure built of granite and brick with three floors of arches, water tanks and distribution towers. The ruins represent more than a dozen arches of the original structure, which are perfectly preserved.
The Roman Bridge is one of Merida's most iconic landmarks. The ancient bridge was built over the Guadiana River during the reign of Emperor Augustus and linked Emerita Augusta and Tarragona. Its length is 792 meters. It is one of the largest Roman bridges in Spain. Constructed of reinforced granite and consisting of 60 arches.
Moorish heritage
Alcazaba is an ancient Moorish citadel, built in 855 by expanding an ancient Roman fortress. Located south of Piazza di Spagna on the banks of the Guadiana River. After the Reconquista it was transformed into the monastery of St. Santiago.
Sacred architecture
Santa Maria de la Asuncion is a three-nave church built between the 13th and 15th centuries on the site of an earlier Visigothic temple. The religious building was founded by the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. The church retains elements of 13th century architecture, although most of it dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Santa Eulalia is a 13th century basilica built during the Reconquista. It is located on the site of an ancient Visigothic temple from the 4th century, which, in turn, stood on the site of an even more ancient Roman temple. The original church was destroyed by the Almohads, Islamic rulers who conquered Andalusia and other areas of the Iberian Peninsula. The modern building has Romanesque architecture, three naves and a semicircular apse. Beneath the basilica are the remains of ancient Roman houses and an early Christian necropolis.
Popular
A one-day excursion to the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula - the ancient city of Uxmal - will introduce you to the history of the mysterious Mayan civilization. You will see ritual buildings of the 7th-10th centuries, after which you will go to Merida, the capital of the state, where, after dinner at a colorful local restaurant, you will stroll along the ancient streets and see colonial Spanish architecture.
Price: $700 Individual
We will go to the archaeological zone of Uxmal - a Mayan settlement of the late Classical period and one of the most complex and harmonious examples of Puuc style architecture, which still continues to delight visitors with its beauty and originality. Here we will explore such world-famous sights of Uxmal as the Pyramid of the Prophet, the Quadrilateral Convent, the Dovecote, the Governor's Palace, the House of Turtles, etc. and you will find out why such famous women as Queens Carlota and Elizabeth II came here... Having become acquainted with this archaeological complex, we will continue our journey to the capital of the state of Yucatan, the city of Merida, founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo in 1542 on the ruins of a large Mayan settlement and which turned into the largest city of the Yucatan Peninsula. Here we will have an introductory sightseeing tour: of particular interest to tourists are Independence Square, the Town Hall, the Casa de Montejo mansion, the 16th-century San Ildefonso Cathedral - the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and the monumental Paseo del Montejo, where luxurious residences are located in European style, built in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
Popular
Price: $161 Group
During this excursion we will visit the pearl of Mayan architecture in Yucatan, the famous Uxmal, which houses majestic structures and structures built with special chic and grace during the heyday of the Mayan civilization. Unlike Chichen Itza, most of the structures can be climbed. Uxmal captivates with its amazing atmosphere and makes for excellent panoramic photos. Next we will proceed to Merida, the white city, the capital of the state of Yucatan, where we will taste the best dishes of Yucatan cuisine. And then we will have a sightseeing tour of the historical colonial center, where the oldest Catholic cathedral, the house of the Yucatan conqueror Montejo, the Government Palace and many beautiful mansions from the period of Yucatan's prosperity are located.
Merida is a city that is the administrative center of the state of Yucatan and the administrative center of the municipality of Merida. The city has a population of about 778 thousand people, which allowed it to become the largest city in terms of population on the Yucatan Peninsula.
With the introduction of land reform and the invention of synthetic fiber, henequen cultivation virtually ceased. As a result, the once prosperous haciendas were abandoned, and Mérida became an ordinary provincial town. Only at the end of the twentieth century. Thanks to huge foreign investments, new development of the city began.
Thanks to its nature, proximity to the world-famous Mayan ruins, excellent combination of antiquity and modernity, Merida attracts a huge number of tourists every year and is the starting point for exploring the Yucatan Peninsula.
Old houses built of white limestone in the Spanish colonial style have long given Merida its unique style, for which it was nicknamed the “white city”. One of the main attractions of the city and the most beautiful street of Merida is Paseo de Montejo. Nowadays, there are a huge number of restaurants, dance clubs, expensive hotels and, of course, many old mansions.
