PLAZA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA
Beach bordered by large laurel trees whose shade falls on the confidenciales in Merida
It is known by all sorts of names: Plaza Grande, Plaza Mayor, Zócalo, or simply the Plaza. It was the center of the Mayan city of T'ho. Today it is the historical and meeting heart of Merida. The cathedral (1561-1598), which looks like a fortress, and the Casa Montejo (1549) were built with the stones of the Mayan temples that were on the site. The other two sides of the Plaza are occupied by the Palacio Municipal (City Hall, 1542, rebuilt in 1850) and the Palacio de Gobierno of the State of Yucatán.
The Plaza is bordered by large laurels whose shadows fall on the confidenciales, those stone loveseats where couples sit face to face. The smell of flowers permeates the air. In the evening, men, women and children wander slowly around the square, while guitarists dressed in white wait on a chair that is rented to serenade or liven up a celebration. Every Sunday, traffic stops and the centre of Merida is only accessible to pedestrians. The contrast with the daily traffic is striking. It is a big weekly family celebration, with a binge of food and entertainment. Then, at the stroke of 8 pm, Cinderella's carriage becomes a pumpkin again. But in the meantime you will have had a pleasant day and you will, of course, not have forgotten the mythical photo in front of the six coloured letters that make up the name of the city.
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