Merida: The One Square Block Tour

When you travel to Merida, the first place you’ll likely find as a tourist is La Plaza Grande. This park has gone by many names, including the more formal “Plaza de la Independencia”, and by the Spanish as the “Plaza de Armas” (or the “parade ground”), laid out by someone whose name may be familiar with travelers to the city - Francisco de Montejo.

As you stand on the street looking into the park you’ll see beautiful trees that provide shade to tourists and locals alike. Vendors selling a plethora of items from toys to sombreros to hammocks will ask if you’d like to buy their items, and if you refuse they’ll smile and ask again… with vigor! On the west side is a multi-colored sign that stands 4-5 feet tall spelling out “MERIDA”, and it’s a nice spot to grab a picture for future memories. This one square block of the pristine park is populated every hour of the day, and into the evening as well.

As you might expect, many restaurants and shops surround the blocks near the Grand Plaza, but the surrounding buildings are by far the most amazing site in the area. Because of this you can stay just on the streets outside of the plaza and take a historic tour that will last you just short of one day. You’ll see art, architecture, and a good deal of history as you look out at the beautiful laurel trees that inhabit the park that’s as old as the city.

Cathedral of Merida (Yucatan)

Also known as “La Catedral de San Ildefonso”, it’s the major landmark within the city. Whether you’re researching for school, interested in Mayan and Spanish history, or just tune into House Hunters International, it’s very likely that you’ve seen pictures of this beautiful church. As it stands, the cathedral’s construction began in 1591 and was completed by 1598. And as we’ve seen happen throughout history, the architect (Juan Miguel de Aguero) chose to build the church on a Mayan ruin, and so the stones of pyramids from the ancient city of T’Ho were used in its construction.

Unfortunately, due to revolution, looting, and we’ll call it a “back and forth” relationship with Spain, many of the original pieces that made this Church so revered are no longer within. However, the church is still beautifully preserved within and without, filled with many stories and rich histories.

Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Museum

Located just to the south of the Cathedral of Merida, this beautiful museum is the only one of its kind on the Yucatan Peninsula. It is dedicated to promoting and disseminating both modern and contemporary art and annually receives approximately 72,000 visitors, notwithstanding COVID-19.

The space, according to the museum’s website...

“The building has 15 rooms for temporary exhibitions, two galleries and four permanent rooms, where the work of three great figures of Yucatecan art is exhibited: Fernando Castro Pacheco, Fernando García Ponce and Gabriel Ramírez Aznar.”

The Museo Fernando Ponce-Macay holds around 45 annual exhibitions, with 2,000 pieces each time

You can find their website by clicking here.

The Governor’s Palace

During our visit in December 2021, I took the picture that highlights this blog post, and it is of course the view from the Cathedral of Merida, looking at the impressive Palacio de Gobierno, or the Governor’s Palace of Merida.

Completed in 1892, this amazing building is a marvel from the street, but like our grandmothers used to tell us, it’s what’s inside that really matters. The elegant interior courtyard is a welcome reprieve from the hustle of the Grand Plaza, and as you walk through the building you will see 31 murals painted by the artist, Fernando Garcia Ponce, as well as other works by leading Mexican Artists.

Unfortunately, like so many things during the coronavirus pandemic, there are no available tours at this time. Once the world opens back up again, this will be a great place to visit.

Once you’re through with all of the museums and the cathedral, head over to the west side of the park to take your picture with the Merida sign, and stop by Janitzio (also west side) to get well-deserved ice cream. This tour of the area surrounding the Grand Plaza makes for an interesting day and can get you ready for the amazing experiences and many distinctive areas of Merida, Yucatan.

I hope you take this tour and let me know your thoughts down below!

And as always…

Peace.