Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico — The Southeast (Yucatan Peninsula)
'Dragons' Quarters
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 16, 2019
1. 'Dragons' Quarters Marker
El antiguo inmueble original fue construido probablemente en 1746. A petición del entonces gobernador Don Alonso de Benavides Bazán y Molina, el Ayuntamiento donó el terreno a los frailes franciscanos a fin de construir un hospital que estaría a cargo de la orden religiosa. Después de funcionar por cas un siglo, los frailes fueron expulsados en 1821 con lo cual el edificio pasó a ser la Guardia de Dragones o "Cuartel del regimiento de Dragones" según diversas fuentes. También fue centro de acopio de pertrechos durante la Guerra de Castas, almacén de sal y bodega del Gobierno del Estado a principios de siglo. Durante la dictadura, cambio su nombre temporalmente por el de "Cuartel Porfirio Díaz".
Asimismo, se dice que en este recinto pernoctaron los primeros chinos, coreanos y alemanes que llegaron a Mérida. El lugar fue también camposanto de las victimas de la epidemia de colera de 1833. Durante todo el sigo XX perteneció al ejército y servicio militar. En 1992 se realizó un importante remozamiento al inmueble, para albergar desde entonces al Centro Cultural del Niño Yucateco o "Cecuny" dedicado
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'Dragons' Quarters
It was probably built in 1746 when the City Council donated the land for a hospital in charge of Franciscan friars. After almost a century, the friars were expelled in 1821, and the building became the "Fourth Regiment of Dragons." During the entire 20th C. it belonged to the Army and Military Service. Since 1992 it hosts the Centro Cultural del Niño Yucateco a.k.a. Cecuny. (Cultural Center for Yucatan Children).
Kúuchil Kalan "Dragones"
Le u jach jaajilil naj je'ela' beeta ab kex bey tu ja'abil 1746. Tu yo olal úuchik u k'ubéenta al tumeen u jala achil u lu'umil Yucatán yuum Alonso Benavides Bazán y Molina, u molayil jo'e' tu síiaj junt súuk lu'um ti' le franciscano'obo' utia'al u beeta'al jump'éel kúuchil tu'ux u ts'a'akal yajilo'ob. Ku ts'o'okol u meyaj maanal jo'ok'aal ja'abo 'obe' áalkabpachta ab le franciscano' ob tu ja 'abil 1821 ka jsuunaj U kúuchill Kalan "Dragones" wa "U kúuchil u y náakomo'ob, Dragones". Beeyxan meyajnaj bey tu'ux ku lik'esa'al ts oono ob ka'alkil táan u yúuchul u ba 'ate 'elil Castas, meyajnaj xan utia 'al u lik'esa'al
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 16, 2019
2. 'Dragons' Quarters Marker
This view shows the English and Maya-Yucateco text of the marker.
Ka'alikil yuum Porfirio Diaz ku jala'achile', jáan k'e'ex u k'aaba ka jts'áab "U kúuchil kalan Porfirio Diaz". Ku ya'al jweeno' ob le yáax chino ob, coreano ob yéetel alemano'ob jk’ucho’ob way t lu'uma. Ti’ le kúuchil xana' ti' láaj jmu'uk le máaxo'ob jkiimo'ob yo'olal le colera jts' a'ay tu ja'abil 1833. Ti xokja'abilo' ob siglo XX tia'alinta'ab utial'al u ba'aluba náakomo'ob. 1992 ka-jutskinta’abe' ka jsuunaj utia'al u meyajta'al jats'uts ba'alo'ob ti'u paalalil Yúcatan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Military • Religion & Religious Structures • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1746.
Location. 20° 58.051′ N, 89° 36.943′ W. Marker is in Mérida, Yucatán. It is on Calle 59 just east of Calle 50, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 16, 2019
3. 'Dragons' Quarters Marker
The marker can be seen to the right of the main entrance to the building.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Former Convent dedicated to Our Lady of Transit o de La Mejorada (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Neighborhood of La Mejorada (about 120 meters away); Monument to the Children Heroes of Chapultepec (about 120 meters away); Juan F. Molina Solís (about 150 meters away); Folk Art Museum (about 180 meters away); Railroad Station (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Temple of San Juan de Dios (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mérida.
Regarding 'Dragons' Quarters. The marker makes a very understandable error in translation, where the Spanish 'dragón' should most likely be the English 'dragoon', or cavalry soldier.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
