Merida, Yucatan [1/3]
With some 600,000 inhabitants, Merida is the biggest city in the Yucatan Peninsula and the capital of the state of Yucatan. Its narrow streets and even narrower sidewalks seem ill-fitting for its vibrant residents and colourful architecture, but they add to the accessible charm of the city. Delicious regional dishes and a bustling market won our hearts.
[2/3]
One feels a sense of regional pride in Merida, perhaps owing in part to the lack of European influence in the racial and cultural make-up. Naturally, Spanish colonialism influenced the architecture and language, but there is also a clear recognition of the Mayan roots that stretch deep into the land.
[3/3]
During the struggle for independence, the imposing church which crowns the main plaza in Merida was apparently stripped by the locals of its gilded European ornamentation, in a repudiation of Spanish rule. That said, there is no shortage of churches in the city, and Catholicism still dominates — at least judging by the amount of religious paraphernalia for sale.
