Merida, Yucatán

• Introduction
• Hotels

All roads in Yucatán lead to Mérida, the state capital. Colonial par excellence, this city is the point of departure of important archeological excursions to the towns and cities that might still hide important secrets of the advanced civilizations that populated the peninsula long before the Spanish conquest.

Mérida is known as the "Ciudad Blanca" or "White City". It is located where just 500 years ago the old Mayan city of T'ho or Ichcaansihó (face of the infinite) existed.

The symmetry of the streets, plazas and the perfect layout like the old Spanish-style cities rapidly made Mérida one of the classic colonial cities of the 16th century.

To visit the center of the city, one must pass the ancient buildings that make up the historical center. To one side of the Plaza Grande, surrounded by leafy laurels, is the San Ildefonso Cathedral. This cathedral was built during the second half of the 16th century and is the oldest on the American continent. Its architecture is very austere with two imposing towers. Construction of the cathedral took more than four decades and was built, in addition to quarry stone, with stones from the fallen Mayan temples. The largest representation of Christ can be admired inside of this great building.

The Montejo House is another amazing construction in Mérida and is considered a jewel of silver artistry. The Government Palace is neo-classical style and currently houses several Fernando Castro Pacheco murals. They are considered to be the most important artwork in the state and helped to shape the life and history of the Mayan town from the era of the conquest to the Guerra de Castas (War of the Castes).

Other important attractions in the city can be found on the traditional Paseo de Montejo.Cantón Palace and the imposing Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Mother Country).