On the northeast corner of the Plaza de la Independencia [1] is the Palacio de Gobierno (8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily), the seat of government offices for the state of Yucatán [2]. Inside and in the upper galleries there are several abstract paintings by the famous Mérida-born artist Fernando Castro Pacheco.
Created between 1971 and 1974, these works depict the history of the region—from the time of the ancient Maya to modern-day Mexico. Restoration of these works was completed in 2004 under the supervision of Pacheco himself by four professional restoration artists from the Centro de Restauración de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.
On the west side of the Plaza de la Independencia is the Palacio Municipal. This architectural beauty dates from 1543 and serves as Mérida’s city hall. The building was renovated in the mid-1800s.
One of the most outstanding structures in Mérida sits on Paseo de Montejo: the Palacio Cantón (Paseo de Montejo at Calle 43). Designed by the same architect who built the Teatro Peón Contreras, this impressive rococo-facade building was built between 1909–1911 for Francisco Cantón Rosado, a former governor of Yucatán. It served as the official state residence between 1948–1960 and in 1977 became the city’s Museo Regional de Antropología.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/cancun-the-yucatan/the-state-yucatan/merida/sights/plaza-de-la-independencia
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/cancun-the-yucatan/the-state-yucatan