Also known as the Casa de Montejo, the Montejo House-Museum was built between 1542 and 1549 on the orders of Yucatán colonizer Don Francisco de Montejo. It served as the Montejo family home for centuries, before being restored in 1981, then again in the early 2000s. Now, visitors can marvel independently over the selection of well-preserved furniture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the striking 16th century façade, or take a guided tour to learn more. As one of the most important landmarks in Mérida, city walking tours typically pass by this impressive building too.
The Montejo House-Museum is situated on the south side of Mérida’s Plaza Grande, close to the MACAY Museum and San Ildefonso Cathedral. As such, most visitors find it easiest to arrive on foot, especially as parking availability in the surrounding area is limited.
Casa Museo Montejo is open from 10am to 7pm, Tuesday through Saturday. On Sundays, it’s open from 10am to 2pm. It is closed on Mondays. Head to the air-conditioned museum at midday if you wish to avoid the worst of Mérida’s humid afternoon heat or visit later in the evening for a less crowded experience. Weekends are typically busier than weekdays.
Casa Museo Montejo is perhaps the oldest building in Mérida, but there are plenty more colonial finds for curious visitors to explore in this historic city. The neighboring Catedral de San Ildefonso is one such example, built over the second half of the 16th century. The Central Building of the Yucatán Autonomous University, constructed on the order of King Philip III of Spain in 1611, is another.