MERIDA

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Merida, is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan and largest city of the Yucatan Peninsula.   The city, much like much of the state, has heavy Mayan, French, British and to a lesser extent, Dutch influences.  Merida has the highest percentage of indigenours persons of any large city in Mexito with approximately 60% of all inhabitants being of the Maya ethnicity.  


Merida was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo y Leon ("El Mozo").  There were three Spanish  conquistadors named Francisco de Montejo:  "El Adelantado" (The Liutenant, "The eldest)";  Francisco de Montejo y Leon "El Mozo" ("The Boy", his son); and Francisco de Montejo "el sobrino" ("the nephew").  It was built on the Maya site of T'Ho.  T'Ho had been a center of Maya culture and activity for centuries; because of this Merida is considered the oldest continually-occupied city in the Americas.

Mérida is the cultural and financial capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, as well as the capital city of the state of Yucatán. In recent years, important science competitions and World events have been held in Mérida. Mérida served as the American Capital of Culture in the year 2000.  As the state and regional capital, Mérida is a cultural center. Mérida retains an abundance of beautiful colonial buildings and is a vibrant cultural center with music and dancing playing an important part in day-to-day life.  The famous avenue, Paseo de Montejo, is lined with original sculptures.  Merida is also home to the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra.

Merida has a great number of museums and art galleries and in the year 2000 Merida was named cultural Capital of the Americas.  

In the heart of Merida's Historic Center, NAHUALLI CASA DE LOS ARTISTAS was born and continues to grow. It has evolved into a place where contemporary visual art and the solemn elegance of colonial architecture converge, creating an environment at once original and distinguished for its extensive collection of beautiful and masterfully done paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints.