Canton Palace, Regional Museum of Anthropology and History

The Regional Museum of Anthropology and History, better known as Palacio Cantón, was built at the beginning of the 20th century to be the residence of the family of General Francisco Cantón Rosado, who was one of the most prominent military personnel during the Caste War and governor of the state. of Yucatan in 1898.

Upon the death of such an important character, his family sold the property to the state government, an institution that in the first instance destined it to be the headquarters of the School of Fine Arts, later it housed the Hidalgo Elementary School and even the Governors' house; at some point the Yucatecan Institute of Anthropology and History and the Crescencio Carrillo y Ancona Library, on the main floor, and the Yucatan Archaeological and Historical Museum, in the basement, were located simultaneously; It was in the 1960s that the first generation of anthropologists and archaeologists from the School of Anthropological Sciences began to be trained, until it finally became what it is to date, the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History.

In its rooms the most important aspects of the Mayan culture are reflected, in addition to its permanent exhibitions on pre-Hispanic Mayan society on the ground floor, it has temporary exhibitions, educational workshops and even space for cultural events, on the upper floor.

It offers guided tours in both English and Spanish, school visits and video projections to make the visit more pleasant. Visiting hours are from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sundays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. It is located in the heart of Paseo Montejo, in the City of Merida.