PASEO DE MONTEJO
Immense wealth of architectural style provided by the exploitation of the henequen in Merida
Named in honour of Francisco de Montejo, conquistador of the Yucatán Peninsula and founder of the city of Merida in 1542, the Paseo stretches from the Santa Ana district to the road that leads to Progreso, considering its gradual extension over time. Its construction was decided in 1888, when the great families of the region were taking advantage of the immense wealth obtained from the exploitation of henequen (the sisal or green gold of Yucatán). Its layout and development are modelled on European boulevards, particularly French ones: the presence of the famous casas gemelas, which evoke the Parisian architectural style of the 19th century, is proof of this. One of the twin houses is, since January 2021, open to the public under the name of Montejo 495 Casa Museo . The original furnishings, which have been preserved in their original state, can be seen here. The Paseo, flanked by tall trees, has a central median and is dotted with numerous roundabouts and aedicules. It is mostly lined with magnificent villas, luxurious residences, many of which have now been converted into hotels, restaurants, shops or museums. From a residential avenue, it has become a pleasant shopping street, stretching over more than six kilometres, and the tourist and fashionable heart of the city. Every Saturday at 8 pm, the city organizes Mexican music concerts. On Sundays, the avenue is closed to cars to make way for cyclists; an art market is also held there.
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