Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico — The Southeast (Yucatan Peninsula)

The House of Montejo

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 12, 2017

1. The House of Montejo Marker

Inscription.
Casa de Montejo
Patrimonio de la NaciónConstruida por Montejo el Mozo por indicaciones de su padre D. Francisco de Montejo en 1540, en la fachada sólo se conserva la Portada de lo que fue la edificación original, la cual ocupó toda la manzana. Esta Portada es la mejor muestra de la aquitectura plateresca en México, y presenta elementos iconográficos alusivos a la conquista y dominación de los mayas por parte de los españoles, así como referencias de la familia Montejo. Destacan en ella las esculturas de bulto de dos soldados españoles del siglo XVI de pie sobre sendas cabezas gon gestos de dolor o terror, así como otras dos figuras situadas por debajo, con mallas empuñando mazos. Esta casa estuvo habitada hasta principios de los ochentas por descendientes de la familia Montejo.

Montejo’s House
National HeritageIt was built by Montejo “el Mozo” (junior) as ordered by his father D. Francisco de Montejo in 1540. Its façade only retains the front of the original construction, which occupied a whole block. This façade is the best sample of Plateresque architecture in Mexico, and displays iconographic elements allusive

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to the Spaniard's conquest and domination over the Mayans, as well as references to the Montejo family. It features the sculptures of two Spanish soldiers of the 16th century, standing on individual heads with expressions of pain or terror, as well as two other figures located underneath, with armed with mallets. As recent as the early 1980s, this house was inhabited by descendants of the Montejo family.

U Yotoch Montejo
U ti’al tuláakal u noj lu’umil Meexico.Beeta’b tu meen Francisco de Montejo “Mozo”, lela’ jump’éel u k’ubeen t’aan u taata Yum Francisco de Montejo tu ja’abil 1540, tu táan le naja’ p’aatal chéen le Joel ti’ le yáax beeta’abiko’, le naja’ ku chukik tuláakal jump’éel maanzana. Le joola’ u chiikul ti’ le estilo plateresco ku meyajta’al weuy tu lu’umil Mexicoo’, ku dzo’okole’ kui ye’esik oochelo’ob ku t’aano’ob tu yo’olal ke k’uchik yéetel le we’ek’ik le maaya’ob tumeen le kasteláan wiiniko’obo’ bey xan ba’axo’ob ku t’aano’och tunyo’ola u kúuchkaabalil le Montejoo’. Te’ele’a jach chika’an u yoooechel ka’túul kateláan soldaado’ob ti’ u sigloil XVI máaxo’ob wa’alakbalo’ob tu yook’ol ka’p’éel pool ku muk’yajo’ob

An additional House of Montejo Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 12, 2017

2. An additional House of Montejo Marker

This marker from 1942 is directly above the featured marker. It reads: 1542-1942
Esta casa que aun conserva su historica portada, que hace cuatro centurias, fue construida por los Montejos, ilustres fundadores de esta ciudad. En ella vivio Don Francisco de Montejo hasta su muerte. La “Liga de Accion Social con motivo del cuarto centenario de la fundación de Merida, dedica esta lapida a la memoria de tan ínclitos varones. Hoy martes seis de enero de mil noveicentos cuarenta y dos.”

English translation:1542-1942
This house, which still has its original entryway, was constructed four centuries ago by the Montejos, illustrious founders of this city. In this house lived Francisco de Montejo until his death. The “Liga de Acción Social” on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Merida dedicates this inscription to the memory of these important men, today on January 6, 1942.

wa sajako’ob, bey xan u láak’ ka’p’éel áyano’ob kaabalo’ máaxo’pob yan u maaya’oib yéetel u machmaj u maazo’ob. Le naja’ tak tu ja’abiln 1980 ti’ kajlaj tumeen u láak’alaal le Francisco de Montejo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1540.

Location. 20° 57.988′ N, 89° 37.432′ W. Marker is in Mérida, Yucatán. It is on Calle 63, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 Calle 63, Mérida YU 97000, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mexican Gulf Coast,

in the Maya Heartland,

and on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Globally, it is in North America,

Mesoamerica,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

and the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also a Spanish colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: House of Writer José Peón Contreras (within shouting distance of this marker); The Main Square of Merida (within

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 12, 2017

3. The House of Montejo Marker

shouting distance of this marker); The Little Rooster (within shouting distance of this marker); "Los Peones" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Peninsular Athenaeum (within shouting distance of this marker); The Municipal Palace (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Emilio Seijo Walkway (about 90 meters away); Fotografía Guerra (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mérida.

The House of Montejo entryway sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 12, 2017

4. The House of Montejo entryway sculpture

This original sculpture that forms the entryway to the House of Montejo would have given a constant message to the Maya of Mérida that they were completely dominated by their Spanish conquerors. Interestingly, it is similar to Maya artwork where a ruler is shown in a superior position to prisoners or sacrificial victims, making the symbolism presented here that much more vivid.

The House of Montejo, seen towards the west. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 18, 2017

5. The House of Montejo, seen towards the west.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 6, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on March 27, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.