Casa de Montejo

The Casa de Montejo, home of the founders of Mérida

On the south side of the Plaza Grande stands the Casa de Montejo, one of the oldest and most emblematic civil buildings of Mérida. Built by the family of the conquistador who founded the city, it testifies to the beginnings of the colonial era. The Mérida audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this Renaissance jewel in Yucatán.

A sixteenth-century residence

The Casa de Montejo was built between 1542 and 1549 by the conquistadors of the Montejo family, founders of Mérida. Its richly carved Renaissance-style façade is among the most remarkable in colonial Mexico. A symbol of the conquerors' power, the residence has crossed the centuries and now houses a museum that retraces its history and presents exhibitions.

What to see

The Renaissance façade, carved with figures and coats of arms, is one of the masterpieces of the colonial architecture of Mérida. Inside, the museum presents furnished rooms and exhibitions, in a majestic setting. It is an essential stop, on the Plaza Grande, to understand the founding of the city and the art of the early colonial era.

Practical information

The Casa de Montejo lies on the south side of the Plaza Grande, in the heart of Mérida, reachable on foot. Now a museum, it can be visited; its hours and entry conditions vary by day and season, and it may be closed on certain days. The façade can be freely admired from the square; it is best to check the arrangements before the interior visit.

Who built the Casa de Montejo?

The family of the conquistador Montejo, founder of Mérida, between 1542 and 1549; it is one of the oldest civil buildings in the city.

What is there to see at the Casa de Montejo?

Its famous carved Renaissance façade and, inside, a museum presenting furnished rooms and exhibitions, on the Plaza Grande.