The foundation of this neighborhood is located on four important neighborhoods, at that time called calpullis and which were the ones that divided the great Tenochtitlan; the most relevant for the Mexica metropolis were Atzacoalco and Zoquiapan, and their foundation dates to 1325.
This area protects the most relevant historical buildings of the colonial era. In 2011, the government of Mexico included the neighborhood of La Merced in the list of the magical neighborhoods of Mexico.
History.
When the new Spain was founded in 1594, what was the main square, was assigned to be the place where trade was carried out and including the central supply centre.
By 1791, what would be the first market called the flying market was built, which today is the national palace. The saturation of the market was such that it was annoying, because of the smells, because of the crowds, so the vice-regal government sent all the commerce to the neighborhood of La Merced, where the old Mercedarian temple was located.
It was and continues to be the supply center of all Mexico City. By colonial times and the structure of new Spain, they had some irrigation channels that crossed the entire area from the width to the length of the main roads today.
The first distribution headquarters was the alhóndiga of the city, after the development, the place that accentuated the distribution was the Merced market that was assigned for the nineteenth century.
The colonial architecture of the Barrio de la Merced is the most important jewel for Mexico City, as there are structures that still stand for the delight of architectural art, however, it also has the last colonial examples that have survived the catastrophes that have hit the city.
Historical Attractions.
→Alonso García Bravo Square. The tour begins in the center of the neighborhood, a variety of commerce that has characterized the place since the neighborhood. You will find a fountain accompanied by sculptures, The Spaniard García Bravo, who began to design the new Spain and some boatmen, for which they are represented on boats.
→The Chapel of the Lord of Humility. This chapel is also called the Church of Manzanares, as it is located on Calle de Manzanares. It measures 9 meters by 4 meters, which is why it is considered one of the smallest in Mexico City and one of the most popular and busy.
The Chapel of the Lord of Humility. | Image Credits, B. Jars | It posted at September 10, 2020.
→Convent of Jesús María. It is also known as the temple of Nuestra Señora de la Merced. It is located two blocks from the national palace. This construction covers an entire block. Surrounded by the Plaza de San Pablo, the Plaza de Loreto; The cloister part has the corner of Calle de la Soledad that leads directly to the palace.
→Temple of San Pablo, el Nuevo. Backed by Catholicism, this temple is in what is now the Cuauhtémoc mayor's office. It was built in the eighteenth century, and its Neoclassical style will captivate you. This construction was considered a historical monument on February 9, 1931, and was built to be the seat of the Parish territory of the time.
→Temple of Santo Tomás, la Palma. Located on what is now axis 1 east, Ring Road and the Merced market. The whole area was known as the palm district because of the temple. By the time the current Merced Market was built, the mayor's administration acquired the La Palma neighborhood to be part of the La Merced neighborhood.
Temple of Santo Tomas, la Palma. | Image Credits, Monocromo82. | It posted at September 30, 2012.
→Church of Solitude. Officially, the church of the Holy Cross and Solitude, of Catholic worship, was named. It was the seventh parish to be instituted in New Spain. This institution was created under the order of St. Augustine, who arrived in 1574, by then, King Philip II of Spain, granted a doctrine of Indians for the order, with which he would begin to indoctrinate.
→The Temple of San Pablo el Viejo. Catholic temple closed to worship. It was built in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Currently, it is the auditorium of the Juárez hospital and is part of the medical institution, which is also located in the Cuauhtémoc mayor's office.
→The place is still characteristic of the café as when it was brought to the new world. One of the places to enjoy this drink is Bagdad, however, you can find some niches adapted to modernity on the corner of missionaries and topazes. You will enjoy the flavour that it has retained since the conquest.
→Of course, its markets are the mercantile jewel of this neighborhood that you can't miss. It has a specific warehouse for fruits, vegetables, chilies, fish, meat, pork, and chicken. Its modern structure allows natural lighting to enter and works as ventilation. It has another area for toys and crafts. Later you will find the flower market that offers all kinds of variety of plants and flowers, natural or artificial.
The Flower Market, La Merced. | Image Credits, Efejle. | It posted on October 2018.
Legends of the neighborhood.
•Mrs. Esperanza Goyeneche de Ruiz García. It is said that the woman appeared in some alleys after having had a tragic death, her soul in pain lurked in the streets of the neighborhood.
• The sad Indian, from the main courier. It is said that this Indian served as a spy for the viceroy, however, the viceroy was not satisfied with the work of the Indian and was stripped of all his belongings, so he stopped eating, he stopped talking, he did not sleep until one day he died of sadness.
• It is said that a thief entered the temple of La Merced trying to steal valuables. However, the father of the parish thwarted his robbery attempt, and he cut off his hand, which he put in a jar to exhibit the future of those who tried to steal in the temple. It is said that the reference to this event is embodied in a hand statue in the seashell of house number 2 in the Plaza de Alonso García.
Now you know what awaits you in the Barrio de la Merced, its colonial characteristic, its gastronomy, its mercantile particularity. Visit our experience portal to experience the Magic of this Neighborhood.
Pack your suitcase and let's go on a trip to this incredible, magical neighborhood of La Merced in CDMX with Vadevia.
Plaza Juan José Baz, Mexico City. | Main Image Credits, wikiwand.com | It posted at July 03, 2021.