Zócalo is a generic term for the buildings surrounding a central plaza. While Mexicans typically use it to refer to THE Zócalo in Mexico City, visitors unfamiliar with Mérida sometimes use it to indicate the Plaza Grande.
Plaza Grande is the heart of Mérida, marking the very center of the Historic District. It is surrounded by four prominent buildings:
- Catedral San Ildefonso
- The Governor’s Palace
- Casa Montejo (now housing Banamex)
- MACAY Museum
Additionally, the Olimpo, a cultural center featuring gallery space, a movie theater, and a planetarium, as well as the Ayuntamiento (City Hall), also border the plaza.
Plaza Grande is a vibrant gathering place where people come to meet, relax, get their shoes shined, protest, shop, read the newspaper, sing, dance, chase pigeons, or simply watch the world go by. The plaza is also home to newsstands, coffee shops, and small vendors, offering plenty of opportunities to browse and explore.
