Description of the attraction
The Yucatan Cathedral, erected in Merida and consecrated in honor of San Ildefonso, that is, Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, who headed the Archdiocese of Toledo in the 7th century, is considered the first temple to appear in mainland America. This is the oldest cathedral in Mexico, so you should definitely see it during your visit to Merida.
The history of this temple is not as rosy as its present. The enslaved Maya Indians worked on the construction of the main cathedral of Merida. They were forced to dismantle their own churches, and then from the formed stones to build a Christian church. According to Catholic priests, this was to symbolize the victory of Christianity over local beliefs. The construction of the Cathedral of San Ildefonso began in 1561 and lasted 37 years. The appearance of the temple resembles a well-fortified fortress.
Over the past few centuries, the cathedral has been reconstructed many times, but the restorers have managed to preserve the original architectural style characteristic of the buildings of the 16th century. The nave of the temple is austerely decorated. The white marble walls are devoid of the opulent gilded decorations typical of other Mexican temples. Several wooden statues are kept in the cathedral. One of them is located behind the central altar, and the second is installed in a small chapel. Thousands of people come to worship her every year. This sculpture is a replica of a church statue depicting Jesus Christ. The original sculpture, which has not survived to this day, survived in due time during a fire. Since then, they began to call her the Burnt Christ. This name has been preserved for the copy, which is in the Cathedral of Merida.
