'100 Joyas' — Sacred art exhibit greets travelers

Travelers arriving at Mérida International Airport are now greeted by centuries of Yucatecan devotion. A new exhibit showcasing sacred art from across the Peninsula opened Tuesday, transforming the terminal into an unexpected gallery space.

The exhibition features 14 display panels presenting 28 photographs from “100 Joyas del Arte Sacro (100 Jewels of Sacred Art) de la Península de Yucatán,” a book published by Grupo Megamedia to mark the centennial of Diario de Yucatán. A life-sized replica of the book stands among the panels, giving passengers a chance to appreciate the project’s scope between boarding announcements and luggage carousels.

The airport location marks the first stop in what organizers plan as a traveling exhibition. Grupo Asur, which operates the airport, has hosted art displays for three decades, but this marks a rare opportunity to see religious heritage outside church walls.

“The airport functions as a door to a land rich in marvels and treasures,” said Diego González Ayuso, who coordinated the multimedia project for Grupo Megamedia. He noted the exhibition aims to spark curiosity about heritage many locals and visitors never encounter.

Héctor Navarrete Muñoz, Grupo Asur’s director of regional airports, highlighted why the timing matters. “Sacred art occupies a distinguished place” in the region’s cultural landscape, he said, adding that documenting these works creates a lasting historical record. Over time, the book will serve as a reference for people familiar with featured sites like the church in Uayma and those who haven’t yet visited them.

The project goes beyond a simple photo collection. Carlos Cámara Gutiérrez, editorial coordinator, pointed to discoveries that surprised even seasoned researchers. The book documents the world’s largest crucified Christ housed in an enclosed space, an astronomical phenomenon visible in a small comisaría church, and devotion to the Virgin of La Soterraña, barely known beyond a few communities.

Luis Uriel Zapata developed a companion tourist guide proposing 14 routes through the Peninsula’s sacred art sites. The multimedia approach aims to transform passive viewing into active exploration.

The exhibition includes images of treasures from across the region’s three states. Visitors can see the Convent of San Antonio de Padua (catalogued as Jewel No. 9), the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (No. 52), the Virgin of the Rosary and Souls (No. 79), and a chalice from Mérida’s cathedral (No. 90).

QR codes accompanying the displays connect viewers to additional project information. Panels also present statistical data about Quintana Roo’s treasures, Campeche’s gems, and various liturgical objects.

The airport serves as the primary international gateway to Yucatán, handling more than 3.6 million passengers annually. Flights connect the region to destinations throughout Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean, according to airport data. The location ensures both Mexican nationals and international tourists encounter this cultural introduction before they even leave the terminal.

Indigenous artisans built many of Yucatán’s colonial churches and convents in the 16th century, often incorporating traditional symbolism alongside Christian imagery. The Franciscan missions that dot the Peninsula served as centers of colonial administration and education while functioning as what historians call “spiritual fortresses.”

Airport officials emphasized how rare it is to see sacred art displayed outside religious contexts, making this exhibition particularly significant. The timing also makes the accompanying book a potential gift option as the year ends.

Representatives from both organizations attended Tuesday’s inauguration, along with anthropologist Indalecio Cardeña Vázquez and architecture scholar Fernando Garcés Fierros, who contributed to the book project.

If you go

Location: Mérida International Airport terminal
Dates: Through Jan. 16
Cost: Free (accessible to ticketed passengers and airport visitors)
Features: 14 display panels, 28 photographs, life-sized book replica, QR codes for additional information