New Palacio Cantón exhibit features extraordinary Maya artifacts
Maya religion and cosmology have been the subject of hundreds of investigations over the past century, but there is still much that remains a mystery.
El Remate restaurant offers a new view of Mérida (literally)
A defunct café has been put out of its misery and replaced with a place that better deserves such a prominent spot: El Remate de Montejo. Better yet, the roof — which hasn’t been open to the public in decades — is one of the most exciting new places in Mérida to be revealed this year….
Mérida’s Monumento a la Patria — a temple to unity, history, and belonging
El Monumento a la Patria is without a doubt one of Mérida’s most recognizable landmarks. Even visitors passing through the city for only a day, or even a few hours, likely stop by and visit this iconic monument.
Mérida decks the halls in time for Christmas
Christmas is a big deal in Mérida. But after the lackluster 2020 holiday season, people in the city seem to be getting more excited than ever.
La Casa Azul — The bright blue icon behind Paseo de Montejo
Built in the 19h century, the now boutique hotel was declared a Historic Monument in 1982, and to this day preserves its original French-style architecture. It has become one of the most iconic buildings in Paseo Montejo.
A walk through the Minaret — Moorish and French-style highlight the glamour of the Henequen era
The splendor and flare of the mansions became a symbol of the economic success brought to the state by the “green gold era” — the henequén times, which coincided with the Porfiriato.
Monument to the Montejo ‘covered in blood’ once again
A group of protesters staged a demonstration in front of the monument to the Montejo, vandalizing it and chanting anti-colonialistic slogans.
Paseo de Montejo mansions that need to be rescued again
For all of the historic mansions the Paseo de Montejo has lost, we’re grateful for the ones that remain. What saved them were the corporations — mainly financial service companies — that realized the value of doing business in a grand landmark building. But since tourism is such an essential part of Yucatán’s economy, and…
Mérida’s monument to the Montejo, an icon of history or bigotry?
Just over a decade ago, a statue of Francisco de Montejo, known as El Adelantado (the one that came first) and his son, Francisco de Montejo, el Mozo were erected on Mérida’s Remate, the starting point of Avenida Paseo de Montejo.
Bike rights: New rules strip safety requirements for cyclists
Yucatán’s new transit rules have done away with requirements such as equipping bicycles with front-facing lights. The new ordinance also no longer demands that cyclists wear reflective vests. These changes come on the heels of several pro-cyclist initiatives championed by state and local governments, including Mérida’s controversial new bicycle lanes and special bridges which will…
Montejo monument vandalized as hundreds march for Women’s Day
An International Women’s Day march in Mérida highlighted growing issues of gender violence and inequality, ending with another monument covered with spray paint. The Monument to the Montejo, which has been under scrutiny, became the target of some protestors’ rage. The vandalism mirrored violence during the 2019 march, which focused its rage on a statue…
Tourism official sues when parking spots at his hotel vanish
Jorge Carrillo Sáenz, president of the Yucatan Tourism Business Council (Cetur) and the Paseo de Montejo Foundation, filed a protective order with the court after two flower beds replaced street parking in front of his hotel. The cement islands, meant for greenery, demarcate bike lanes while preventing vehicles from serving guests by Hotel El Conquistador’s…
One of the Twin Mansions becomes a private museum
Nearly 110 years after it was built, the public is invited to see inside one of Mérida’s palacial Casas Cámara, also known as the Casas Gemelas or Twin Houses. Montejo 495 Casa Museo, which is the house on the left if you are viewing them from the Paseo, is a giant time capsule containing vestiges…
Monument to Maya heritage would replace Montejo statues at the Remate
Just as monuments to Confederate figures are coming down in the United States, so should the statue depicting the Spanish conquerors who appear to be surveying the boulevard that bears the family name, says architect Falú Balam. His firm has designed a new monument that honors Yucatán’s pre-Hispanic heritage, and he is in talks with…
Guided tours of the Paseo de Montejo prove popular
The city of Merida hosted guided tours of the Paseo de Montejo for just a brief period, but they caught on fast.
City tours begin along the grand Paseo de Montejo
Merida, Yucatan – The Paseo de Montejo’s mansions and monuments are beautiful, but visitors rarely know their history. Called “Montejo, pasado con esplendor” (“Montejo, Past Splendor”), a new city-run tour is free and offered to both residents and visitors curious to learn more about the capital city’s famed boulevard. The walking tours are offered in both…
Have restaurants spread out too far into public spaces?
Dining under the stars is one of life’s great pleasures. So is a sidewalk stroll, or a walk in the park. Somehow, these pursuits have collided. Literally.
Some mansions still abandoned on the Paseo de Montejo
Some of the Paseo de Montejo’s grand mansions remain in a dilapidated condition, which is something one business leader has urged the government to act on.
Restorers in final stretch at iconic Monument a la Patria
The historic Monumento a la Patria, one of the most iconic sites of the Yucatecan capital, is almost ready again for its closeup.
2 from Kenya win Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
Kenyan runners took the podium in the Mérida Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, which was followed by a festive stadium concert.
$1.25M-peso restoration due at Monumento a la Patria
Restoration work on the Monumento a la Patria could start as early as October if INAH approves a plan of action in time.
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