Places of worship, Merida. Mexico

San Idelfonso Cathedral

So the final stop on the road trip, couple of nights here gonna make the most of it.

I escaped my travelling companions, I had no real appetite for museums and culture. No time to waste, climb upon shank's pony and lets hit the pavements.

The cathedral was built between 1561, and 1598. Being the second cathedral to be completed in the Americas it has architecture that mirrors that of Andalusian churches.

Comes to a screaming halt, I am not going there now, lets pop in later.

Let us first visit a more sacred temple hidden down one of the back streets of Merida. Come join me as we pray to the gods of beer 'n stuff.

It was quite an unassuming place from the outside I was in need of refreshment beer.

Ok so it was only just after noon, but never forget

"It's 5 o'clock somewhere"

Taking the unconventional route through the alley as I had spotted something that looked like street art I wandered in.

Oh MY DAYS

The walls were just covered in fantastic little bits of art, I soon forgot about beer, I wasn't that thirsty anyways.

Surreal images and words; with my limited Spanish knowledge (Self taught, a language I love, it is so melodic. I tried German initially but the words are far too long to make any sense, never mind actually read and say) I could just about understand the phrases, but not fully the hidden meaning in the sentiments.

Apparently the little virgin Carmen protects the gangs WTF? Loving the tongue in cheek sentiment of the sign being above a bike rack

God will protect those who eat at the temple, something like that

Let us prey and give thanks for finding this remarkable unique and fascinating place.

San Idelfonso Cathedral,
re-wind, press play

C'mon lets go se if we can find any beer 'n stuff in here, the sun has passed over the yard arm, we all have the Captains permission to imbibe.

A redundant bell

In 1915, by orders of General Salvador Alvarado, the Cathedral was looted, losing its invaluable collection of sacred art, including Baroque and Churrigueresque altarpieces dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, the Cathedral Treasure, and the Walcker organ, made in Germany, which had just been built in 1902.

The Cristo de la Unidad, standing 25ft tall is the largest indoor crucifix in the world. It was built in 1965 in Madrid, shipped over and erected by the Church in an attempt to build a sense of unity between the Maya and the Catholicism. ( not withstanding the pillaging, raping, murdering and the demolition of the Mayan temple upon which this place was built some 500 years previous.

Stones in the floor the reminder of former residents of the parish

These are offerings of thanks, a quaint local practice whereby the faithful pray to a saint for help in a personal matter.

If (big IF) the prayer is answered, the devout place a ribbon, often marked with some brief statement of thanks for the blessing granted.

Someone has been a busy boy.