La Misión de Fray Diego was constructed during the historic reign of the United Kingdom’s famed Queen Victoria, who sat on the British throne from 1837 to 1901.

La Misión de Fray Diego is an antique 17th century mansion, restored and converted into an exquisitely charming, boutique hotel in Mérida, Yucatán. Over 400 years ago, La Misión was part of the Monjas Church (Nuestra Señora de la Consolación), which today is located behind the hotel. Originally called Our Lady of Consolation, the convent occupied an entire city block and was a self-contained complex. According to local lore, the convent was built because the son of the governor, Alvaro de Vozmediano, perished in a shipwreck en route to Spain. His fiancée, Carmita de Ordoñez, was so devastated that she decided to devote her life to God. There were no convents in Mérida at that time, so her father constructed one.

The convent was built with private donations of cash or properties from individuals, ecclesiastics, and novices. It was maintained through financial “dowries” from their families, as well as from manufacturing and selling items, such as sweets, cookies, breads, and fruit. The churchgoers were of solid financial standing and often, a number of commercial deals were made in the visiting room. Within the convent walls were a church, residential areas for 40 nuns, courtyards, gardens, and food production areas. The nuns formed an education facility for girls and a shelter for elderly and invalid women. Novices joined the convent of their own accord, but they had to be legitimate children of pedigree; be between 15-17 years of age and in good health; and several administrative fees.

The convent was completed on June 22, 1596 and at one point occupied the entire block between Calles 61, 64, 63, and 66A. The Conceptionist nuns managed the cloisters until October 12, 1867, when they were expelled by General Manuel Cepeda Peraza. The convent has since been owned by private owners after the convent lost most of its original structure. La Misión de Fray Diego is incredibly proud to preserve this magnificent history for future generations to enjoy.