La Merced Cloister

La Merced Cloister is a colonial-era convent in Mexico City's historic center with a ground floor courtyard surrounded by Doric columns. The arches display medallions featuring apostles and friars, while the upper level holds twice as many ornate columns decorated with carved patterns.

The Mercedarian order began construction in 1595, though only the cloister survived the religious changes of the 1800s that transformed the country. This structure reflects how colonial Mexico was built brick by brick through monastic labor.

The name comes from the Mercedarian order that made this place its home for centuries. Visitors walking through the courtyards today can sense the religious purpose that shaped every detail of the building.

This location sits in a busy neighborhood where people shop and work daily, so visiting early in the day helps avoid crowds. The surrounding streets can be narrow and hectic, but stepping inside the courtyards brings you into a quieter space.

The fourteen columns on the upper floor are intricately carved with patterns of leaves and fruits etched into stone. These fine details reveal the skill of craftsmen working without modern tools centuries ago.