After its radical renovation over the last few months and ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, all eyes are on the Plaza Grande in Mérida. This historic square has been a Maya shrine, a site for pledging allegiance to Spanish kings, where colonial gallows stood, and the epicenter of citizen protests and festive celebrations. Its…
Since its start last April, the remodeling of Mérida’s iconic Plaza Grande has raised eyebrows. One of the most surprising aspects of this project was how little it was publicized beforehand. From the air, the changes to the Plaza Grande seem relatively negligible. The main difference is the loss of several mature trees. Former Gov….
México’s Institute of Anthropology and History has stopped construction in Mérida’s Plaza Grande. The issue has been reported to be the modern aesthetic of new benches the city has begun to install in the iconic plaza. According to INAH, these new benches simply do not fit with the historic feel of this nearly 500-year-old plaza,…
The city says they pose a danger, and promise that 80 newer trees will replace them.
Major renovations at Mérida’s main square kicked off with a flurry of heavy machinery on Calle 63.
During colonial times, the Plaza Mayor witnessed the swearing-in of Spanish kings, religious processions, bullfights, and many more important events.
Mérida en Domingo, the festive weekly crafts and food event at the Plaza Grande, was one of the first traditions to fall to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, its return is under discussion. The municipal secretary, Alejandro Ruz Castro, accompanied by the directors of Economic Development and Tourism, Eduardo Seijo Solís and the Office of the…
Normally hot and bustling, downtown Merida was cold and quiet for Christmas morning. Meridanos tend to wake up late after a night of Christmas Eve parties. Getting out of bed was even more difficult with morning temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius / 57 Fahrenheit. In the Centro, many businesses stay closed, although some opened after…
The four intersections around the Plaza Grande have been fitted with audible traffic signals to help visually impaired pedestrians cross safely.
Here’s a school project appropriate for the high temperatures Mérida is enduring lately.
With yet another newsstand popping up in front of another historic building, someone has started a campaign against kiosks facing the Plaza Grande.
Those vivid and artistic high-def video projections cast on the facades of the Cathedral and Casa de Montejo will resume, weeks after the National Institute of Anthropology and History shut them down.
Historic Casa de Montejo is getting another facelift. Its ornate facade will be cleared of cables, lamps and 15 years’ worth of dust, grime and bird droppings.
The Plaza Grande, presidential palace and many streets will be closed as Cuban President Raul Castro begins his visit to Merida today.
The international environmental group Greenpeace has come to town to promote organic farming.
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