All about Parque de Santa Ana in Mérida, Mexico

Parque de Santa Ana, at the intersection of calle 60 and Calle 47) is a city square with shade trees, benches and food vendors. The square is located one block from the north end of the iconic Paseo de Montejo.

To be honest, Santa Ana square isn't really very impressive, but in one corner of the square at Mercado Santa Ana you will find shops and cafes that offer delicious traditional Yucatecan cuisine at a great price - like cochinita pibil (pulled pork) or sopa de lima (lime soup with chicken).

Therefore, the place is well attended, especially at meal times. And also because Santa Ana is quite centrally located in the old town of Mérida.

Monument to Andrés Quintana Roo

In 1972, a monument to Andrés Quintana Roo was erected on a pedestal in the middle of the fountain. Andrés Eligio Quintana Roo lived from November 30, 1787 to April 15, 1851 and was a Mexican liberal politician, lawyer and author.

He was the husband of independence activist Leona Vicario and one of the most influential men in the Mexican War of Independence. He served as a member of the Congress of Chilpancingo, where he chaired the Constituent Congress that drafted the Mexican Declaration of Independence in 1813.

Quintana Roo was also a member of the Mexican Supreme Court and editor of numerous newspapers. The Mexican state of Quintana Roo was named in his honor.

Historic church

The park, with the district and church of the same name, is dedicated to St. Anne. In several writings from the 2nd to 6th centuries, she is regarded as the mother of Mary and therefore the grandmother of Jesus Christ. She has been venerated as a saint since the Middle Ages.

On the northern side of the square stands the historic church Parroquia de Santa Ana. The construction of the church was ordered by Antonio de Figueroa y Silva, a former Governor and Captain of Yucatán.

The construction of the church began in 1729 and was completed in 1733. And if you are interested in the old ghost stories of Mérida, you will also find what you are looking for.

The scene of a battle

In 1867, a battle took place in the park of Santa Ana in which the imperialist troops supporting Maximilian of Habsburg faced the Republican troops defending the cause of Benito Juarez.

This decisive confrontation for Yucatán was won by the Republicans under the leadership of General Manuel Cepeda Peraza, who was later appointed governor of the state. On June 15 of the same year, the Republican government was restored to the peninsula under his leadership.