The Amber Museum is within the former Convent of La Merced, the tour is short but very informative, they explain how to distinguish between real amber and the imitation; the kinds of amber there are, how they cut it, etc.

The Convent of La Merced, at Ciudad Real, nowadays San Cristobal de las Casas, was the first establishment of Mercy (Order of Mercy) in America.

The evangelization started with Friar Pedro Barrientos and Friar Pedro Benítez de Lugo in 1536, they stayed there until 1546. The convent re-opened again in1624 and it was closed again in 1859.

In the second half of the nineteenth century the convent was used as military barracks and its facade was modified at the end of the century. In 1963 the former Convent was transformed into the municipal jail and it continued being a jail until 1993.

A member of the Patronage Pro Reconstruction del Ex-Convento de La Merced, A. C., rescued it and rebuilt the building, with contributions that came mainly from the private sector.

The Amber Museum of Chiapas was inaugurated on December 4th, 2000. It is the only museum of its kind in America and one of the few Amber Museums in the world. It has more than 300 pieces on display.

It was designed for both adults and children so they can enjoy it in a didactic way.

The collection that is currently exhibited in the museum has 350 pieces; both raw as well as most precious carvings have been seen. There are a lot of pieces that have won several competitions, as well as high quality inclusions.

 

Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 hrs. and 16:00 to 19:30 hrs.

Location: Diego de Mazariegos s/n, La Merced, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México.

Phone: (967) 678 97 16

 

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