This sprawling building was originally the residence of the archbishop. It became the local military post after the revolution, and eventually—after being remodeled—was transformed into the Museo MACAY, (Pasaje Revolución between Calles 58 and 60, tel. 999/928-3258, www.macay.org, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Wed.–Mon., free) Mérida’s museum of contemporary art.

Museo MACAY is a first class modern art museum, boasting an impressive collection of Yucatecan modern art, including paintings by Gabriel Ramírez Aznar, Fernando García Ponce, and Fernando Castro Pacheco (who painted the arresting murals in the Palacio de Gobierno). The museum occupies a beautiful 16th century building next to the Cathedral; in fact, it was originally part of the Cathedral, but the two were separated in 1916.

The passageway between the museum and cathedral serves to display rotating sculpture exhibits. The museum also oversees the terrific large-scale installations seen along Paseo Montejo.