All about Monumento a los Montejo in Mérida, Mexico

The Monumento a los Montejo (Monument to the Montejo), is a monument at the Remate del Paseo de Montejo, the traffic circle that is the starting point of Paseo de Montejo downtown heading north.

Paseo de Montejo itself is one of the most magnificent streets in Mérida and was built in the early 20th century (named after Francisco de Montejo).

Calle 47 also leads off the traffic circle: west to the Parque de Santa Ana and east into the so-called Corredor Gastronómico y Turistíco, a restaurant row that stretches about four blocks on Calle 47 to the spectacular Gran Parque La Plancha.

The monument was erected in June 2010 to honor the historical importance of the Montejo family to the region. It remembers the conquest and colonization of the Yucatán Peninsula.

The Montejo family played a very important role in the history of Mérida and the Yucatán Peninsula, especially in the conquest and colonization of the region by the Spanish.

Francisco de Montejo

Francisco de Montejo, also known as El Adelantado de Yucatán (the first in Yucatán) was a leader in the conquest of the Yucatán Peninsula and is considered the founder of the city of Mérida in 1542.

His son, also named Francisco and called Francisco de Montejo, el Mozo (the Younger) for distinction, was also an important player in the settlement and colonization of the Yucatán Peninsula.

It took 20 years and three attempts before Yucatán was completely conquered by the Spanish in 1547 and the last rebellions were put down. It was not until December 1836 that Spain officially recognized Mexico's independence.

Father and son stand together as bronze figures on a massive stone pedestal, dressed in the armor and typical clothing of the Spanish conquistadors. Francisco de Montejo the younger carries a rapier and a helmet. The posture of father and son radiates pride and determination.

Criticism

The monument is intended to emphasize the cultural connection between the Spanish colonial period and modern Mérida, even though many - understandably - have quite mixed feelings about the historical role of the Spanish in Mexico.

Many consider the Montejos or the Spanish occupiers in general to be ruthless mercenaries and murderers. Also because of its location, the monument is therefore considered the most controversial monument in Mérida and has been deliberately damaged on several occasions.

Debates about colonialism and the racism associated with it have been increasing for years. In Mexico City, for example, a monument to Christopher Columbus that had stood on the Paseo de Reforma since 1877 was removed for this reason several years ago.