Iglesia de la Merced

San Cristóbal de las Casas


Dating from 1537, the Iglesia de la Merced is often seen in postcards of San Cristóbal festooned in colorful flags. The interior of the sacristy has an arch guarded by two lions, symbolizing the Spanish crown, and is decorated with floral motifs and reliefs representing the sun and the moon.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Cristóbal de las Casas attractions

1. Museo del Ámbar de Chiapas

0.03 MILES

Chiapas amber – fossilized pine resin that's around 30 million years old – is known for its clarity and diverse colors. Most is mined around Simojovel,…

2. Museo de Sergio Arturo Castro Martínez

0.1 MILES

The story behind this extraordinary collection – that's overseen by an even more extraordinary person, Don Sergio – is as interesting as the museum itself…

4. Cerro de San Cristóbal

0.13 MILES

The hot slog up the Cerro de San Cristóbal will pay you back with big views over the city and surrounds.

5. Museo del Cacao

0.28 MILES

This chocolate museum runs along an open upstairs balcony of a cafe. Learn about the history of chocolate and how it was used by the Maya. Also on display…

6. Plaza 31 de Marzo

0.28 MILES

The leafy main plaza is a fine place to take in San Cristóbal’s unhurried highland atmosphere. Shoe-shiners, newspaper sellers and ambulantes (mobile…

7. Arco del Carmen

0.33 MILES

The Arco del Carmen, at the southern end of the Andador Turístico on Hidalgo, dates from the late 17th century and was once the city’s gateway.

8. Centro Cultural El Carmen

0.33 MILES

This ex-convent, just east of the Arco del Carmen, is a wonderful colonial building, with a large, peaceful garden. It’s now the Centro Cultural El Carmen…

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