top of page
_edited.png){kind=small}
Paseo de Montejo
Paseo de Montejo is the main street of Mérida. There are many beautiful colonial buildings, full of history, color and with a majestic architecture.
Mérida
2023
21
Paseo de Montejo knows only one direction: straight ahead.
The Monument to the Montejo, on Calle 47 (Santa Ana neighbourhood) is a reminiscent of America’s Civil War and Christopher Columbus statues and our starting point in downtown.
At the southern end of Paseo de Montejo there are also many small food stalls with typical Méxican sweets.
Marquesitas are a dessert native to the state of Yucatán. They consist of a crepe, rolled like a taco, filled with cajeta, condensed milk, jam, chocolate or edam cheese. But it probably won't be to everyone's taste...
About 110 years after it was built, the public is now invited to see inside one of Mérida’s Palacial Casas (the house on the left, No. 495). They are known as the Casas Gemelas or Twin Houses.
It is a giant time capsule containing vestiges of Yucatán’s golden age. If you would like to have a virtual view inside, there is another photo blog from our visit.
Inspired by elegant european boulevards - like Champs Élysee in Paris - Paseo de Montejo is flanked by several big trees. The next remarkable building is also on the left (behind some trees).
The Cantón Palace (Paseo de Montejo at Calle 43) was the residence of the Cantón Rosado family, built in the first decade of the 20th century. Currently it houses the Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán.
Since 2006 every Sunday one lane of the main street, Paseo de Montejo (450m from Casa Loltún), is closed for car traffic and "La Biciruta" - the bike ride in Mérida - takes place from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The roads (5km in total) are blocked from La Ermita de Santa Isabel (Calle 77 at 64) to Plaza Grande, then north to the end of Paseo de Montejo just past the Monumento a la Patria.
Instead of a car or bike, you can also take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Several of these carriages are waiting downtown for passengers to take a tour ranging from 45 to 90 minutes.
Of course you know bus stops. But that would be too easy for Mérida...
With the fortunes made from its henequen plantations, owners started building magnificiant houses, using European design, furniture and materials. Close to Paseo de Montejo there are also various gems to be found, such like the spectacular residence "El Pinar" (The Pine Grove). El Pinar (Calle 60, No. 331) was built in 1915 and is undoubtedly one of the flagship mansions from the golden years in Mérida.
The Quinta Montes Molina, was formerly known as Villa Beatriz. With an eclectic architecture and neoclassical influence the villa was built 1902. Tours are offered at this restored mansion with European furniture, decor and scenic gardens.
Casa del Minarete ("The Minaret") was built at the end of the Porfiriato period (1876-1911).
It was dedicated to being a dwelling house whose distinctive element, the Minaret, was taken from the Arab influences in vogue in the peninsula during the era of its construction. Today, the Minaret at Paseo de Montejo No. 473 opens its doors for social and private events throughout the year.
The wealthy landowner Pedro Regil built this magnificent residence (located on Calle 35 de Paseo Montejo) in 1905, a work inspired by the neoclassical style that was popular at the time. Its most striking feature is the stone-carved facade, very impressive!
Casa Vales was built between 1905 and 1908 by Fernando Rendón. In the 90s of the 21st century it was acquired by the Mexican banking group Santander, which restored it. Today it's a regional branch of Banco Santander.
The architecture of Casa Vales is influenced by the neoclassical style and features Doric porticoes. The house has a turbulent past and there are many stories about it being haunted.
Casa Molina Duarte (Paseo Montejo, No. 452) is an abandoned mansion. Even though the large properties on Paseo de Montejo are worth millions of dollars, running costs can be a problem for owners.
Further back, the meaningful Monumento ala Patria already shines through. But a surprise is your constant companion in Mérida...
Now we are at the northmost point of Paseo de Montejo with the "Monumento a La Patria" (Monument to the Homeland). It is without a doubt one of Mérida’s most recognizable landmarks.
On the south-facing end of the monument, stands a large feminine figure with indigenous features complete with pre-Hispanic clothing and jewelry.
Not far from Paseo de Montejo: The former Mérida railway station is located on Calle 55 between 48 and 46. Since passenger rail services stopped in 1997, this neo-colonial building has been renovated and now houses an art institute, the Escuela Superior de Artes de Yucatán.
It is one of the best preserved buildings of its kind and is for this reason worth seeing.
bottom of page