Ermita de Santa Isabel, Hermitage in San Sebastián, Mérida, Mexico

Ermita de Santa Isabel stands on Calle 66 Sur in the San Sebastián neighborhood, at the old start of the royal road to Campeche. Its plain facade rises to a pointed gable pierced by three bell openings, with a 1748 inscription and low tower-like projections at its sides. A small park with a hexagonal pavilion and benches lies in front, and an old cemetery with the ruins of another chapel extends to the south.

Gaspar González de Ledezma built the chapel with his own fortune, probably in the 17th century, so that he could retire there as a hermit. It was first called Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje, for its position beside the royal road to Campeche, and later took the name Santa Isabel. An inscription over the main door is dated 1748.

The chapel was first called Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje, for its spot beside the royal road to Campeche, and later took the name of Saint Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Its main door carries the inscription "A devoción del yll.mo ... texada año de 1748".

The hermitage is located near a park that closes to vehicle traffic on Sundays, making the area more pleasant to walk through. Access is easiest via one of the remaining original brick streets that still show Mérida's historic character.

The chapel's south side borders an old cemetery where the ruins of another chapel are still visible. Inside, a courtyard garden holds Yucatecan medicinal and ornamental plants, flowers, shrubs and ferns; it is free to visit, but since it is not public land, permission must be requested from someone at the chapel.