Merida is the capital city of Yucatan located at the very heart of the Yucatan peninsula. This city is often dubbed as “White City” because its buildings are made of white stones and because of its immaculate cleanliness. Others say that it is due the historic fact that anyone who is “non-white” is not allowed to enter the city. The term was said to be coined by the Maya Indians during the periods of rebellion. It is also often called as “Paris of he West” by many because rich citizens of the city had once imported so many products ans architectural styles from France; and also due to being the center of culture and government in Yucatan.

The city was founded by the Spanish Conquistador, Francisco de Montejo – also known as “El Adelantado”, in 1542. The conquest to win the east Yucatan peninsula was originally commissioned by his father, also named Francisco de Montejo, and Hernan Cortes. However, his father failed because of the fierce resistance encounters from the Maya. He and his men then returned to Mexico barren and disillusioned. After which, he handed the mission over to his son who eventually succeeded in subduing the west Yucatan peninsula.
		Francisco de Montejo “El Adelantado”

Merida was then built on top of T’ho, one of the Mayan cities in the peninsula. The Mayan buildings and structures were then decimated. The large stones were made into foundations for Spanish colonial buildings and the cathedral. Most of these structures from the 18th and 19th century are still found in the central part of the city.

The new-founded city was then walled from the colonial period up to the mid 1900’s to protect the residents (especially the Spanish and Ladino) from fluctuating revolts initiated by the indigenous Maya. Following this blood-splattered period of rebellion though, the city of Merida gradually experienced a time of prosperity and abundance. It was in the late 19th and early 20th century that the city was able to progress with the production of henequen, or sisal in English, a strong yellowish or reddish fiber from used mainly to make twines and ropes. Numerous European-style houses are still found in the city, several of which are in the northern portion. These are legacies left by the henequen-industry barons. One popular mansion is the Palacio Canton (Canton Palace), which is the home of General Francisco Canton Rosado until his death. The “palace” was built in the regime of Porfirio Diaz.
		The henequen plant
		The “Palacio Canton” Museum of History

After the decline of the henequen industry though, it went into nothing but the history books.

The city of Merida now stood to be a cosmopolitan city filled with rich historic and cultural heritage evident through its colonial-era architecture and archaeological sites. It is bursting with several activities to choose from — if you are a tourist – including nightlife spots, historical tours, and shopping opts. Despite continuous progress, Merida remained steadfast traditions.
If you want to set one foot in the past and the other in the present, The beautiful city of Merida is one perfect place for you. It will give you a taste of the old and new world you will surely remember.

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