All about Centro Cultural Olimpo in Mérida, Mexico

The Centro Cultural Olimpo in Mérida is a space dedicated to promoting art in its exhibition halls and main auditorium. It presents changing art exhibitions, theatre events, film festivals, dance events, puppet shows, and concerts.

There have already been exhibitions of works by world-famous masters such as Matisse, Chagall or Picasso. The Olimpo Cultural Center also sponsors cultural events in various other locations in Mérida.

It is a comparatively newer building, right next to the Palacio Municipal, so on the west side of the Plaza Grande. It was inaugurated on January 6, 1999 and incorporates elements of the colonial style so that it fits in well.

The elegant looking building is worth walking through just to admire the architecture. Admission to the building is free, but you must register at the entrance.

Although the Cultural Center is closed in the evening, it is still worth a visit because the building (and many others on the Plaza Grande) are beautifully illuminated.

Gallery rooms

The Cultural Center has several gallery rooms and they are free to view. Unfortunately, there is a lack of signposting in Mérida (actually everywhere in Mexico).

To get to the exhibitions, you have to cross the round square on the insode and then take the stairs up to the second floor.

Events take place in the auditorium ("Auditorio Dr. Silvio A. Zavala Vallado") and are subject to a fee. The same applies to shows in the Planetarium of the Cultural Center.

Upcoming events

Now you're probably wondering where you can get an overview of the upcoming program? Unfortunately, this is one of the things that could be improved. There is no dedicated website online.

On the Facebook page of Centro Cultural Olimpo you can sometimes find program information under "Mentions" (mixed in with other posts) and there is also an Instagram page.

The Directorate of Tourism, which runs the VisitMerida website, refers to Mérida`s events section and to Mérida`s cultural events calendar. All information is provided in Spanish only. If in doubt, better ask locally.

Directly to the left of the Centro Cultural Olimpo is Palacio Municipal de Mérida with the Mérida Tourism Office (the office has its own entrance), the employees will be happy to help you and they also speak English.

During the week in Mérida

Here is another tip: If you want to know what's going on in Mérida every day, check out the complete overview of the recurring amazing weekly events in Mérida.

Perhaps you are also interested in the annual festivals in Mérida? Have a look to see if a festival is taking place during your time in Mérida.

Further places of interest around Plaza Grande

If you are at Plaza Grande, there are several interesting sights around the square. First of all, of course, the Catedral de Mérida - San Ildefonso (Cathedral of Mérida), the oldest church in America.

Furthermore the Palacio Municipal de Mérida (a historical building currently being used as a City Hall by the local government) and the Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Yucatán (it houses the state of Yucatán's executive government offices and a tourist office).

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán (MACAY) - Fernando García Ponce, a museum in a colonial palace presents works by modern and contemporary Mexican artists. Right next to the MACAY is the 100m long Pasaje de la Revolución, which shows changing sculpture exhibitions by Mexican and international artists.

Furthermore there is the Museo Casa Montejo, the restored home from Don Francisco de Montejo – the conqueror of Yucatán and founder of the city of Mérida.

And if you want to dine at Plaza Grande, we recommend Restaurante Picheta, which is housed in a 350-year-old building next to the Palacio de Gobierno (the government building) and has a nice roof terrace.

Image Source (patio): ©travel4brews.com, flickr, CC BY 2.0, Link

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