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La Casa de Montejo is acknowledged to be the finest civil construction of the Spanish Plateresque style in Mexico and also the New World. This extraordinary establishment faces the Zocalo in Merida. The La Casa de Montejo was built by Francisco de Montejo, the younger son of the Adelantado Montejo who was the conquerer of Yucatanin the year 1549, by an inscription.
The La Casa de Montejo has profusely sculpted facade which is divided into two tiers. Though different in style, the two tiers illustrate the eclectic characteristics of the Plateresque. The artistic movement was the culmination of late Gothic, Moorish and the early Renaissance sources and created an original and highly stylish architecture wonder. It was developed in the 14th and the 15th century.
The lower facade enveloping the doorway is having the elegant Renaissance fashion constructions like fluted columns, classical entablatures and the coffered paneling. The inner panels are carved with grotesque structures and have inscribed palquea and also medallions with enclosure of sculpted heads. There are two flanked busts above the doorway and traditionally have been thought to be the portraits of Adelantado Montejo along with his wife.
On top of this decorous structure is a frieze of horned cherubs and grotesque animal heads with a striking jarring note. On the top of the door way sis the bowed figure with sheepskins on and holding up the corbelled second floor balcony, setting the tone on the upper tier. The upper tier shows the medieval and the Moorish antecedents of the Plateresque.
There is a large shield of the Montejo coat of arms which stands over the window with an armorial helmet surmounting it and there is an eagle perching over it. The escutcheon is there on a stone tapestry with stylized floral motifs hanging with fruits on it. The rare giant figures of the Spanish halberdiers flanking the whole upper level with the feet resting on the heads of the vanquished.
travel.mapsofworld.com. provides online information on La Casa de Montejo and also Tourist Attractions in and around Merida
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