All about Casa Vales in Mérida, Mexico

Casa Vales was built between 1905 and 1908 by Fernando Rendón, during the economic boom in Yucatán due to the export of hennequen. The architecture of Casa Vales is influenced by the neoclassical style and features Doric porticoes.

With Casa Vales, it was possible to save another house that preserves the splendor of Paseo de Montejo from the beginning of the last century.

The person responsible for the restauration was Enrique Manero Peón, who has also been involved in numerous other restorations of properties in Mérida.

History of Casa Vales

In 1914, the building was sold to Mr. Vales (the current namesake of the building), who, on the occasion of his marriage to Rosa Cámara, gave it to his son Carlos Vales, who lived in the house with his wife Doña Rosa.

Casa Vales was acquired in the 90s of the 21st century by the Mexican banking group Santander, which restored it. An additional new modern office building was also built, connected to the old mansion by a glass atrium (with an entrance to parallel Calle 56).

In March 1995, it became a regional branch of the banking group. Directly opposite, on the other side of Paseo de Montejo, you will find HSBC Bank.

Legends and ghosts

Tragedies are the stuff of which legends are often woven. And like so many places in Mérida, Casa Vales also has a special story to tell. Carlos and Rosa Vales had three children, sons Carlos, Oswaldo and Michelangelo. However, the first two died as infants.

At that time, with a permit from the city, it was possible and common to bury infants and young children on their own property. The first child Carlos was buried in a cemetery. But at Rosa's request, Oswaldo were buried in a small crypt on the property.

Rosa visited the small crypt every day and laid flowers and prayed for her son. When Carlos and Rosa Vales passed away, the memorial to the deceased children was forgotten.

In the course of the restoration work after the sale of the building to the banking group Santander, part of the property was converted into a parking lot and further construction work took place. The small crypt was discovered during the work, the family was informed and the remains of the child were transferred to the family mausoleum.

Especially in late October and early November - during the Days of the Dead - people report seeing a female figure in the windows on the second floor of the old mansion, and bank employees are said to hear a woman's voice in the evening asking: "Where did you take my child?"

And there are always reports of people saying they hear quiet sobbing on Nov. 1. That's the day Mexicans commemorate the deaths of babies believed to have died in a state of grace and without sin (except original sin).

There are also reports of bank employees working late into the night who, when they pull into the parking lot, feel the touch on their shoulders, but when they turn around there is no one there, they only hear the voice of a woman pleading for her child.

And so, to this day, the spirit of the mother searches for the grave of her baby. You can enter the site at any time during bank opening hours. If you encounter the ghost of the searching mother, tell her where she can find her child!