OLD GATE. II 



ESTA OBRA MANDO HACERLA EL 



ADELANTADO DON FRANCISCO DE MONTEJO. 



Ano de MDXLIX., 



which, translated into English, means: "The Adelantado 

 Don Francisco Montejo caused this to be erected in the 

 year 1549." This is said to be one of the oldest buildings 

 in Merida, and also one of the oldest in Yucatan. It was 

 erected five years after the" foundation of the city. 



Eight streets lead from the plaza, two in the direction 

 of each cardinal point. In every street, at the distance of 

 a few yards, is a gate, now in a state of ruin, and beyond 

 are the suburbs. In the center of the plaza is an object 



which seems out of place among 

 the old buildings, viz., an elec- 

 tric light, placed at the top of a 

 very high, ladder-like platform. 

 Beneath this electric light "pole'' 

 is a beautiful fountain. Seats 

 are placed in convenient places 

 GATE IN MEKiDA. for thc comfort of those visiting 



the plaza. The whole is surrounded by an iron fence. 



This plaza was the scene of a great battle, in 1540, be- 

 tween the Spaniards and natives, the latter numbering 

 70,000, while the former numbered but 200; so says the 

 historian. The natives, however, were defeated, but not 

 until they had killed or wounded nearly all the Spaniards. 

 A large mound once stood on the ground now occupied by 

 the plaza; it was razed to the ground by the Spaniards, and 

 from it, and numerous ancient buildings, the present city 

 of Merida was built. 



The great distinguishing feature of Merida, as of all the 

 cities of the Spanish-American countries, is in its churches. 

 The great cathedral, the Church of the Jesuits, the 



