What to See in Yucatán, Mexico
Mérida Cathedral in Yucatán, Mexico, 1989. Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
One of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas may be found in Mérida, Mexico. Known as the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, the cathedral dates back to 1598. Commissioned by Pope Pius IV, the cathedral was built on the Mayan site known as T’hó. Construction began in 1561. (The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is a bit older, having been completed in 1540.)
Who Was San Ildefenso?
San Ildefenso was the bishop of Toledo who died in the year 667. The Virgin Mary purportedly appeared to him in church, which was bathed in white light and caused other worshippers to flee.
Making a Plan for the Yucatán
- Merida is a good place to gain some history and culture and to take a break from the sun and surf scene of Cancun. I first visited by making my way by jeep from Cancun to Chichen Itza for an overnight and then onto Merida for a couple of days.
- Enjoy walking around this colonial city take ride in a horse-driven carriage through the historic part of town.
—Lori Tripoli
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Planning a trip to Cancun? You might like these posts:
- How to Choose a Hotel in Cancun
- Cancun Tours: How Good Is the Gray Line?
- The Contrasts of Isla Mujeres
- Mayan Bloodletting at Chichen Itza
- Cancun for the Convenience
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Very different from how the cathedral looks today. But it still preserves the Mayan essence of that time. Beautiful image.
Interesting. I will have to go back to check it out!
Merida has so much history and culture! It is definitely a place that everyone should know. Besides, the food is great.
I agree–it’s a beautiful city. I would love to go back.