C. 64ᴬ 524, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
The San Juan Arch is located on 69th Street in the center of Mérida, opposite the park and the San Juan church. Tourists passing under this arch have no idea that they are retracing the path of the Spanish conquerors of Yucatán. The San Juan Arch was recently renovated, so it now looks incredibly bright in the rays of the southern sun. Originally, Mérida, named after the Spanish town of the same name, was a well-fortified fortress. The arches/gates of the city of Mérida were built around 1690 under the direction of General Juan José de la Barcena and military engineer Manuel de Zézera. They are unique in the Mexican Republic and are the most original monuments that the city of Mérida can boast. The main purpose of these structures was to emphasize and outline the city center, as Spaniards and Creoles lived in this area (within the Arcos). Outside these walls were settlements of indigenous people and mulattos, which later became neighborhoods of the current city. For several centuries, settlers lived under the protection of powerful walls, which were necessary to protect the population from warlike Indian tribes. In the 19th century, the city began to expand. Some gates that previously led into the fortress have survived to this day. Now, passing through them, you can enter the Old City of Mérida, where the most interesting sights are concentrated. The most famous gates are called San Juan. Today, they more closely resemble a shaped arch stretched over the street between two houses.
The construction of these gates took place in 1690 as part of a fortress strengthening project. The arch was based on similar gates in the neighboring town of Campeche. The arch was erected at the beginning of the historic route called Camino Real, which connected the two main cities of Yucatán – Mérida and San Francisco de Campeche. The San Juan Arch was larger than the other two city gates built at the same time. At the top of the arch, in a special niche, there is a statue of San Juan, that is, Saint John the Baptist.
Sources:
https://www.merida.gob.mx/municipio/sitiosphp/merida/php/arcos.phpx
https://en-yucatan.com.mx/merida-yucatan/arco-de-san-juan/
