Catedral de San Ildefonso

Catholic cathedral · Mérida

Catedral de San Ildefonso

Catholic cathedral · Mérida

1

C. 60, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico

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Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null
Catedral de San Ildefonso by null

Highlights

1500s cathedral, stark architecture, built with Mayan stones  

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Placeholder

C. 60, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico Get directions

catedraldemerida.org.mx

Information

Static Map

C. 60, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico Get directions

+52 999 928 6131
catedraldemerida.org.mx

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 17, 2025

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Mérida, Mexico, Is a Favorite Travel Destination Among Locals — How to Visit

"Mérida's Centro Histórico is a treasure trove of historic architecture, leafy plazas, and one of the most stately boulevards in the world, the Paseo de Montejo. Visitors will also want to meander Calle 60 for its seemingly endless array of restaurants, shops, and bars. Gritzewsky says that wandering the Centro Histórico on foot is essential to understanding the heart and soul of Mérida. "The main square is always lively and surrounded by important sights such as the oldest cathedral on the continental mainland (Catedral de Mérida, San Ildefonso), constructed with stones from Mayan structures." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/merida-mexico-travel-guide-8583996
View Postcard for Catedral de San Ildefonso

Ron Morgason

Google
You have to visit in person to get a feeling for this historic monument. Also there are numerous shops and a park where you can buy food and souvenirs

Maria

Google
Beautiful site in Merida. Must see for anyone. Looking at it from Picheta is amazing as well. Also I recommend viewing it day and night because it looks amazing in different kinds of ways. Also research the history as it’s pretty interesting.

Dennis Fetter

Google
If history is your thing, then this place is for you. If architecture is your thing, then this 0lace is for you. If you need to pray, you should come try it here. It's beautiful, the people were wonderful, and it just leaves you in awe of what people can be capable of.

Desiré Zuñiga

Google
It’s one of the oldest buildings in Mexico, making it a fascinating spot for anyone interested in history and architecture

Hein De Vries

Google
Architecturally impressive, this cathedral houses none of the original art. Either stripped during the Mexican Revolution, or removed to prevent theft, the cathedral is a less decorative experience than the frilly, gilded majesty of the ones we saw in Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. Saturday nights there is a Mayan pelota demonstration in front of the Cathedral. It is a fitting location, since the stone walls of the Catedral de San Ildefonso are also the last remnants of the Mayan Temple that stood on the same spot. If you are visiting the archeological sites in the area, the ball game demonstration and ceremony will add significantly to your overall understanding and experience.

Nas Lo

Google
If you're bored, have nothing else to do or just want to pray stop by. Otherwise don't waste your time. There are much better churches around. If do stop by you'll be done in under 5 minutes.

Ivan Corona

Google
Fascinating cathedral, especially during the Christmas season. I love the light show they project onto the cathedral, as well as all the events that take place during this time. The church is free of charge. I believe the projection only happens during the weekend.

Nathan Gray

Google
Large cathedral in Merida. It’s a bit plane, and austere. It lacks the frescos and paintings of many other cathedrals. It’s worth visiting however for its grandeur. And austerity.
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Ashley S.

Yelp
Beautiful Cathedral from the 1500s. Our tour guide told us this was the first Catholic Church built in Mexico. I highly recommend making time to stop and see this lovely historic gem.
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Alexis B.

Yelp
We visited the Catedral de San Ildefonso last week when we were in Merida on vacation. It's located on Plaza Grande, so it's definitely worth checking out with the other attractions on the plaza. Construction of the cathedral began in 1561 and was completed in 1598, making it the second cathedral to be completed in the Americas. The cathedral was built on the site of Mayan ruins of T'ho, and the laborers who built the cathedral used stones from the Mayan temple of Yajam Cumu to build it. The coat of arms on the facade was originally designed to reflect the Spanish royal coat of arms, but was partially destroyed after Mexico's independence and now shows a Mexican eagle wearing the imperial crown of Iturbide in the empty portion of the shield. The interior is worth visiting (they close for a few hours in the middle of the day FYI), but it's the exterior that I found incredibly beautiful. Don't miss it if you're nearby!
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Elissa P.

Yelp
El catedral más lindo que e visto, y después de la lluvia está más lindo y hermoso. Ahí área de visitantes que puedes pasar cuando ahí misa en vivo
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Sanjay G.

Yelp
Beautiful church, Tour bus should have given more time to explore this So, we stopped at cenote for 90 minutes but our tour bus gave us just 20 minutes to explore Valladolid and nearby areas, great...!! That why I recommend coming by yourself. No doubt church looks very beautiful from outside, but we did not have time, so we just roamed in central park, have churros and then came back. Central Park was full of people, warrior dressed guys, vendors. Streets were looking so beautiful, vibrant, colorful from the bus. We should have stayed here for longer time. I recommend visiting here. It is as vibrant as it can be
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Jemmie W.

Yelp
Gorgeous cathedral. In many Latin American cities and towns, the central cathedral is where the action is. It's the place to see and be seen. It's where locals and gringos alike go to stroll, shop, eat, and just chill. This place is that. Tip: Every Sunday night they have a dance/party here.
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Sean C.

Yelp
This is an impressive cathedral with a rich history. Amazing amount of detail and religious imagery. Located right in front pf the Zocalo where is always something going on.
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Stephen F.

Yelp
The Cathedral of Merida is also known by its proper name as the Catedral de San Ildefonso. Naturally, as is custom in colonial Spanish towns, the Cathedral is located at the main square and in the center of the City. It is striking and beautiful from the outside, however austere and plain on the inside. Its worth a stop in to take a look and enjoy knowing you've visited the oldest Cathedral in the main land Americas (Santo Domingo, D.R. has the oldest), but outside of that aspect there will not be much to remember.
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Randy E.

Yelp
This cathedral is such a beautiful place. The architecture is incredible. The history here is unbelievable. And the mass held here is definitely an experience everyone should have, whether they're religious or not.