Description of the attraction
The founding date of the city of Merida is 1540. For the future settlement, the conquistadors chose an old Mayan settlement called Tho. Originally, Merida, named after the Spanish settlement of the same name, was a well-fortified fortress. For several centuries, the settlers lived under the protection of powerful walls, which were necessary to protect the population from the warlike Spanish tribes. The expansion of the city began in the 19th century. Some of the gates that previously led to the fortress have survived to this day. Now, after passing them, you can get to the Old Town of Merida, where the most interesting sights are concentrated. The most famous gate is called San Juan. Now they rather resemble a figured arch thrown over the street between two houses.
The construction of this gate took place in 1690 as part of a project to strengthen the fortress. The arch was based on a similar gate in the neighboring town of Campeche. The arch was erected at the beginning of the historical path called Camino Real, which connected the two main cities of Yucatan - Merida and San Francisco de Campeche. The Arch of San Juan was larger than the other two city gates erected at the same time. In the upper part of the arch, in a special niche, there is a statue of San Juan, that is, St. John the Baptist.
The Arch of San Juan is located at 69 Street in the center of Merida, opposite the park and the San Juan Church.
Many tourists, passing under this arch, do not even suspect that they are repeating the path of the Spanish conquerors of Yucatan. The Arch of San Juan was recently renovated, so now it looks incredibly bright in the rays of the southern sun.
