|
The ZocaloThe main square, variously referred to as the zocalo, the Plaza Principal, or Plaza de la Independencia, is the heart of the central district and a good place to start any visit to Merida. This location has been the center of the city since the time of the Mayas, as this same site was a Mayan city prior to the Spanish conquest. In fact the Casa de Montejo (seen below) was built from materials sacked from Mayan structures. |
|
The Cathedral. |
The Palacio Municipal. |
| The plaza is flanked on the east by the Merida Cathedral,
built on the site of the main Mayan temple. It was completed in the second half of the
1500's and is the oldest Catholic cathedral standing on the American mainland. On the west
side of the square is the Palacio Municipal - the City Hall. On the north side of the
square is the Palacio del Gobierno - the Governor's
Palace - and on the south is the Casa de Montejo. |
|
| The Casa de Montejo - home of the original Spanish governor of the Yucatan and occupied by his family for almost 300 years. On either side of the door are conquistadors carved in stone. |
|
 |
<<Kids run, play and feed the pigeons in the gathering dusk on
the zocalo. You will find the square busy with people most hours of the day or night. Notice the confidenciales, the s-shaped loveseats that are scattered throughout the plaza. |
One block off the central square, a calesa waits on the cobblestone street in front of the Gran Hotel for a fare. |
|
 |
|
