Parque de Santa Lucía

The Parque de Santa Lucía is defined by its long, stone arcade stretching along the western edge of the plaza, featuring wide, rounded arches that once provided shade for travelers arriving in Mérida by stagecoach. In the nineteenth century, this space served as the city’s primary entrance for visitors, who stepped off their carriages and found temporary lodging in the surrounding colonial buildings. Back then, it was a practical stopover for people and mail arriving from the coast before heading into the city center.