The Museum of the City of Merida (Spanish: Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida), located in

Mérida, Yucatán Mérida () is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, and the largest city in southeastern Mexico. The city is also the seat of the eponymous Municipality. It is located in the northwest corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, about 35 km (22 ...

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

, is home to artifacts and archeological pieces of historical relevance to the development of the city, from pre-Hispanic to contemporary times. The building in which the museum lies is also of historical importance, since it dates back to the period of the Porfiriate.

History

The current headquarters of the Museum of the City constitutes an element of large importance for Mérida not only by its architectural style that stands out from the surrounding buildings, but also for its historical value. This Federal Palace was inaugurated at the end of the Porfirio on May 5, 1908 under the Mandate of the governor

Enrique Muñoz Arístegui Enrique Muñoz Arístegui (1856-1936) was a Mexican industrialist and politician. He lived in Mérida, Yucatán. He was three times the governor of Yucatán The governor of the State of Yucatan is the head of the executive branch of the Mexican ...

. Inside the museum offices of

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, posts and courts have been established. Designed and built by the Military Engineer Salvador Echegaray distinguished by his neoclásic style, it resonates with the

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, giving some

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tones in the finishing of the walls and aluminum works. Inside the museum is an exhibit of representative objects that mark the period during which it served for the postal service.

Exhibition rooms

In the museum, there are exhibitions containing 150 pieces of permanent form that vary from pieces of great historical value to archaeologic pieces. All these pieces are distributed in four main rooms, as detailed below.

Prehispanic Merida

This room contains many pieces that there were in the ancient Merida of the previous period to the conquest of the Spaniards. It even houses pieces that date to the

Maya civilization The Maya civilization () of the Mesoamerican people is known by its ancient temples and glyphs. Its Maya script is the most sophisticated and highly developed writing system in the pre-Columbian Americas. It is also noted for its art, archit ...

The colony or Novohispanic Merida

This is the room in which they begin to present objects that trace back to the period of the Merida's foundation as well as objects of the daily life of the period, armament and other pieces that show to Mérida during the Colony.

Merida in the 19th century and principles of the XX

In this room, there are artifacts that represent the development of the city and its economic growth. Other pieces refer to the period of the inland revenues, education, and political atmosphere of this time.

20th century

In this room, there are objects of the current life of Merida relevant not only to the culture of the city but also to the architecture, sports, and especially the traditions of the city.

Temporary exhibitions

The temporary exhibitions generally take place in the first floor of the Museum. These exhibits usually showcase various

visual arts The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts al ...

, through different media like painting, drawing, printmaking, recordings, photography, sculpture and video. Also, they create thematic exhibitions that reveal more of the history of Merida.

References

{{Authority control Museums with year of establishment missing City museums in Mexico History museums in Mexico Museums in Yucatán Mérida, Yucatán