Casa de Montejo, Renaissance mansion in central Mérida, Mexico
Casa de Montejo is a two-story palace in Mérida with an intricately carved stone facade featuring Spanish conquistadors and indigenous figures at the ornate entrance. The structure sits on Plaza Mayor and now houses a museum with period-furnished rooms visitors can walk through.
The palace was built in 1549 under Francisco de Montejo's direction as a residence for the Spanish conquistadors who founded Mérida. It stands from a period when Spanish forces took control of the region and established colonial structures.
The building blends Spanish Plateresque style with Maya influences visible in the detailed reliefs and sculptures across its limestone exterior. This mixture shows how two worlds came together in the architecture itself.
The museum occupies rooms inside the palace and can be visited during regular opening hours. Guided tours are offered in different languages to help visitors understand the history and layout of the building.
The original facade includes carved heads of defeated Maya warriors beneath the feet of Spanish soldiers, symbolizing colonial domination. This striking detail shows how the conquering power preserved its dominance in stone.
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