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TR A VEL

more millionaires in Mérida the establishment of Tenoch-
than in any other city in the titlán to the 20th century.
world. These wealthy barons Throughout the façade, you’ll
constructed mansions on the find figures representative of
main street of a town called the Maya culture, like a Chac-
Paseo de Montejo. Many of mool, a ceiba tree surrounded
these buildings still exist and by butterflies, jaguars, and
have been restored into beau- the city’s shield.
tifully ornate office buildings.
Stroll down the avenue and Pyramids of Uxmal
admire the variety of different
FOOD, PYRAMIDS & architectures. A day or overnight trip south
of Mérida is Uxmal, a World
Plaza de la Heritage site, consisting of
CULTURE, OH MY! Independencia Mayan pyramids and ruins.
The layout of the buildings,
which date from between
Mérida’s focal point is Plaza
Exploring Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico de la Independencia, bor- 700 and 1000, is now known
to have been based on a very
dered by the fortress-like
Mérida Cathedral and white sophisticated knowledge of
Article and Photos By Robin Dohrn-Simpson limestone Iglesia de la Tercera astronomy. The compound
Orden. Both of these ornate is celebrated for its precise
When your tour brochure says unique culture influenced by colonial-era churches were construction and ornate
“Come, relax in the tropical Spanish conquistadores, who built using relics from ancient stone carvings. The towering
paradise of the Yucatán Pen- began colonizing the territory Mayan temples. The Casa de Pyramid of the Magician is the
insula, Mexico”, oftentimes in the 16th century. The Maya, Montejo, a 16th-century man- center of the ruins and is in
the first thought is Cancun Spanish, French, British, Leb- sion, is a landmark of ornate remarkably good condition,
and Cozumel. However, just anese, Asians and Mexicans silversmith-like architecture, decorated with many sym-
three hours east is the vibrant cultures have left their mark. brought by the Spanish. The bolic motifs and sculptures
city of Mérida, gateway to the plaza is lively all day with art- depicting Chaac, the god of
region’s UNESCO-listed ar- Historical Yucatán, ists, food stalls, performers and rain. Climbing this pyramid is
chaeological sites and nature Colonial Architecture if you’re lucky a video-map- prohibited. You can however
reserves. ping culture and light show, climb the Great Pyramid on
Mérida has prospered over put on by the local university. the other side of the com-
The Peninsula looks like a the years with the production pound and get panoramic
mermaid’s tail on the south- of henequén (sisal), leaves (https://www.youtube.com/ views of the area. A tour is
eastern tip of Mexico. It of the Agave plant that are watch?v=jHRynlPZJMU) highly recommended.
is dense with jungles and made into rope, twine, mezcal
dotted with the pyramids of and licor del henequén, a The stunning Monumento Stay for the evening Light and
Uxmal. The Maya civilization traditional Mexican alcohol- a la Patria was created by Sound Show, which tells the
has been living and thriving ic drink. People came from Colombian sculptor Rómulo story the Mayans summoning
in the region for millennia. many countries to make Rozo, and sits majestically in the god Chaac and praying for
Although somewhat isolat- their fortune from this plant. the center of town. It features rain. The different buildings in
ed from the rest of Mexico, They were successful, and in 300 hand carved figures that the compound are lit up, and
Mérida has developed its own the 20th century there were tell the story of México from the feeling is quite mystical.

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