Joyful celebrations and terrible events, weddings, and executions ... Generations followed to each other, and it was the only silent witness. It is the Cathedral of Saint Ildefonso in the city of Merida.

In the middle of the 16th century, Pope Pius IV issued a decree on the construction of a church in honor of the former archbishop of Toledo - Saint Ildefonso. The location was chosen by Francisco de Montejo y Alverez, the Spanish conquistador founded Merida.

The construction of the largest cathedral on the Yucatan Peninsula took place in the main square of the city in 1561. The first architect was Pedro de Aulestia. The stones from the Mayan pyramids in the ancient city of Tho were put in the basement. The same stones you can see today. Construction lasted about forty years and finished in 1598 by another architect - Juan Miguel de Agüero.

Initially, the cathedral had 5 chapels. Only 3 of them were preserved. In 1915, by order of General Salvador Alvarado Rubio, a lot of exhibits were stolen. Among them, there are altars of the XVII-XVIII centuries and the majestic organ of 1902.

The interior of the cathedral impresses a lot. It has a large area and the huge crucifixion of Christ of Unity made in 1965. It was a symbol of peace between the Spaniards and Mayans. The Spanish master Ramon Lapayese del Rio was creating this masterpiece for 2 years. The figure of Christ of more than 7 meters height is made of birch, while the cross of mahogany has a height of 12 meters.

To the left of the altar, the most famous artifact of the city is located. It is the statue of Cristo de las Ampollas. According to legend, it was made of wood. That tree was burning all night after a lightning strike but was not damaged at all. The statue was the only one that was not affected in a fire in one of the churches. And in 1645, it was moved to the cathedral.