All about Monumento a la Patria in Mérida, Mexico

At the northmost point of Paseo de Montejo in the middle of a roundabout stands the Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Homeland). It is without a doubt one of Mérida's most recognizable landmarks.

On the south-facing end of the monument, stands a large feminine figure with indigenous features complete with pre-Hispanic clothing and jewellery. At night, the monument is illuminated and offers another special sight.

The huge monument rises over 50 meters above the Paseo de Montejo. Paseo de Montejo also ends at the Monumento a la Patria and merges into the Prolongación Paseo de Montejo.

The 300 relief figures show you the history of Mexico from the founding of Tenochtitlan to the middle of the 20th century. It took 12 years to create and was mainly realised by the Colombian artist Romulo Rozo.

The monument was inaugurated in 1956 on the occasion of the centenary of the beginning of Mexico's war of independence against Spanish rule. The monument has 31 columns representing the 28 states, 2 territories and 1 federal district.

Northern side of the monument

The north side of the monument depicts Lake Texcoco. The Ceiba tree is shown as a relief in the center. The Ceiba tree held mythological significance for the ancient Maya as the World Tree, connecting the celestial, terrestrial, and underworld realms.

Ceiba tree symbolized creation, fertility, and spiritual renewal, serving as a sacred conduit for divine energies and ancestral wisdom.

There is also a smaller statue with an eagle and snake, which are part of the Mexican coat of arms. The eagle motif originates from the legend wherein the nomadic Aztecs were instructed by their gods to build their new capital Tenochtitlán where they would see an eagle sitting on a cactus devouring a snake.

It is also about the founding myth of Mexico - the battle between good and evil.

The spirit of the demon bird Vucub-Caquix

Directly north-east of the Monumento a la Patria is the Villa Donata, a mansion built by Pedro de Regil, which is now home to the gourmet restaurant Kuuk.

The Maya believe that these two buildings stand above a hidden entrance to the underworld and that Vucub-Caquix guards the entrance from the unbelievers.

Vucub-Caquix is a malevolent demon bird from Mayan mythology. It is half vulture and half condor. Vucub-Caquix is described as a powerful bird pretending to be the sun and moon of the twilight world in between the former creation and the present one.

Many report that they have seen the spirit of this demon bird hovering between Monumento a la Patria and Villa Donata. There are also reports of animals disappearing in the area. It is believed that Vucub-Caquix swoops down and grabs dogs from the road or other birds in the trees to eat them.

In 1962, a young mother claimed to have been attacked by a huge bird that swooped down, grabbed one of her young sons with its claws and disappeared with him. The boy has remained missing to this day.

The Monumento a la Patria and the restaurant Kuuk are very popular destinations in Mérida. If you are on the Paseo de Montejo in this area, look up occasionally and watch out for the demon bird.