Days 12-13 1/22 - 1/23/2024
Merida, Mexico
Frank's Trip
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A Day of Rain & Rest then more sights...
The weather has been amazing over the last 2+ years on my vacations! Every day has been nice for weather - except 2 rain days of 110 overseas days. The 22nd was one of those rain days and that was OK because I had nothing planned and really needed a full rest day. My only other rain day was in July, 2022 while I was in Istanbul.
Iglesia de Jesus
The 17th-century Iglesia de Jesús was built by Jesuits in 1618. It's the sole surviving edifice from a complex of buildings that once filled the entire city block. The church was built from the stones of a destroyed Maya temple that occupied the site.
Libreria San Francisco Xavier
Part of the building of the Iglesia de Jesus
Parque de Santa Ana
This park is a local favorite for its iconic marquesitas (native Yucatan dessert), quiet benches, and upbeat festivals, which all take part in the main explanada, or open-air plaza of the park.
In 1726, Gov. Antonio de Figueroa y Silva ordered the construction of a street from the Episcopal Palace — adjacent to the Cathedral of San Ildefonso — which gave continuity to the road that, until then, finished in the Santa Lucía neighborhood.
The project integrated Santa Ana into the historic center of Mérida, which meant a radical change that accelerated its development.
In 1909, Santa Ana Plaza was host to a speech by Francisco Madero, the famous revolutionary. For this reason, the plaza was formally christened Plaza de la Revolución. Though in all honesty, everybody refers to it as Plaza de Santa Ana.
Parque de Santa Ana
Right next to the Parroquia Santa Ana.
In the center of the square, we find a monument to Andrés Quintana Roo, a lawyer, poet and politician, an outstanding figure of the independence movement, deputy and co-signer of Mexico’s Act of Independence. One of the states of the Yucatan is named after him - Quintana Roo.
Parroquia Santa Ana Church / Saint Anne's Parish
The construction of the church was ordered by Antonio de Figueroa y Silva, a former Governor and Captain of Yucatán. Construction began in 1729 and was completed (and consecrated) in 1733. It has a Latin cross pattern on an atrium, built apparently where the Maya religious structure had stood.
Hotel Casa Azul
Casa Azul Hotel Monumento Histórico is a magnificent historic hotel located a few steps away from the iconic Paseo de Montejo. Built during the 19th century, the hotel was declared a Historical Monument of Mexico for the superb quality of its original architecture. The residence has become a regional landmark that showcases the rich heritage of Yucatán’s Porfirian Age. Unfortunately, when I went there, they had guests and do not allow visitors inside at those times.
