All about Iglesia de San Juan Bautista in Mérida (2025)

If I’m being honest, purely from an architectural point of view, many of the churches in Mérida don’t leave a particularly strong impression on me – they’re often quite simple and a bit reserved in their design.

But the San Juan Bautista Church is different – its bright yellow façade, detailed twin bell towers, and overall symmetry give it a much more charming and inviting look.

It is located approximately four blocks south of Plaza Grande. Constructed between 1769 and 1770 atop the remains of a 17th-century chapel, this Baroque-style church has lent its name to the adjacent Parque de San Juan.

Inside, the church houses an unusual neo-Gothic altarpiece, one of the few in the region to survive the depredations of the Revolution. Originally, this altarpiece was fitted with mechanical pulleys designed to cover and reveal the santos mounted in its niches.

Historically, the precincts of the church were frequented by the "sanjuanistas," a group of early 19th-century reformers and patriots.

Architectural Highlights and Features

Architecturally, the San Juan Bautista church features a single-nave design, a common characteristic in Mexican ecclesiastical structures of that era.

One detail that really stood out to me was the roof – instead of stone vaults like in many colonial churches, it’s held up by wooden beams called rollizos. That’s a classic feature of traditional Yucatecan architecture and gives the building a lighter, more open feel.

The façade is adorned with layered half-columns and carved stucco ornamentation, culminating in an undulating gable that includes rampant lion reliefs and a statue of Saint John the Baptist.

Stone Walls and Symbolic Facades

Something I kept wondering was why so many colonial churches in Mérida – but also in other cities – have beautifully decorated front façades, but the side walls are left with bare stone.

Eventually, I learned that this was a common practice: the main façade was meant to impress from the street, while the sides were often left simple to save on time and resources.

The exposed stone also serves a functional purpose, allowing the walls to breathe in Mérida’s humid climate, which helps with preservation. Over time, renovations have often focused on the front of the churches, leaving the side walls in their original state.

This combination of practicality, tradition, and historical preservation is a common feature in many of the city's colonial-era churches.

What to See Around San Juan Park

Parque de San Juan is located directly in front of the church. Its layout follows the traditional style of Mexican town squares, with shaded benches, large trees, and an open area that often serves as a gathering place.

In the park, you will find the Fuente de la Negrita, a fountain brought from Paris in the early twentieth century, and a statue of Benito Juárez, which was erected in 1910 to honor the former Mexican president.

On the southern edge of the park, you will find the Arco de San Juan, a historic brick arch that once marked the boundary between the Spanish colonial city and the Indigenous neighborhoods.

These days, it’s mostly known as a go-to photo spot (and I have to admit, that kind of thing always triggers me) – it’s the best-preserved of Mérida’s old city arches. If you’re in the area, it’s worth stopping for a moment.

San Juan does not have its own market, but you will find small shops and street vendors in the area selling fresh produce and local snacks.

If you are looking for a larger market, the nearby Mercado de San Benito or Lucas de Gálvez Market are good options with a wide variety of goods.

Image Source (church): ©jesus cruz martinez, wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Image Source (park): ©Sharon Hahn Darlin, flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

Image Source (arch): ©Sharon Hahn Darlin, flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

The pictures were modified (image improvements, resizing)