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Izamal: One of the Magical Towns of Mexico

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The “City of the Three Cultures”, since its pre-Hispanic and colonial past, as well as contemporary Mexico, are present there.

convent of san antonio de padua

Izamal is known as the “City of the three cultures”, since its pre-Hispanic and colonial past are present in it, as well as contemporary Mexico.

Nestled between hills, this beautiful town is home to old mansions and pleasant yellow-tinged corners that transport any traveler to magical paradises.

 Its attractions are the conventual complex that is intermingled with the remains of pre-Columbian mounds that are practically in the middle of private patios and lands, which indicates the greatness that this settlement must have had. And it is that this beautiful Yucatecan town is also famous for having been the home of one of the most recognized Mayan mythical characters: Zamná or Rocío del Cielo. 

Located 65 km east of Mérida, Izamal welcomes walkers with its tropical climate where the temperature in winter does not drop below 18 ° C. Going through its cobbled streets in a buggy or going on foot along the old paths called "sacbés" (which connected with other Mayan cities such as Aké and Kantunil) is a simply unforgettable experience.

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Izamal was a powerful governing center during the Classic Period founded by Zamná, considered as god of the universe by the Maya. Zamná was a priest, he invented writing, books; discovered henequen and its use. The meaning of the word "Itzmal" is precisely "Rocío del cielo". 

The colonial settlement began with the temple built by the Franciscans on the ruins of a Mayan shrine called “Pap-hol-chac”. At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the primitive Franciscan church became the current conventual complex of Nuestra Señora de Izamal.

Typical

In the main square of Izamal, in its popular marketIt is common to see objects made by the Yucatecans with natural materials and with traditional techniques. It is easy to find rosaries made with coyol and henequen thorns, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and wooden crafts and of course the traditional hammocks woven with henequen fibers, spacious and comfortable. You can find them at the Izamal Cultural and Craft Center, where there is also a popular art museum, cafeteria, guide services, as well as a spa with relaxing treatments.

On the other hand, in the town of Citilcum you will find furniture and ceramics, while in Kimbilá there is saddlery, wooden crafts and embroidered clothing.

DID YOU KNOW

Pope John Paul II visited this Magic Town -the only one in Yucatán- in August 1993, where he held a solemn mass in the monumental atrium of the Ex Convent (the second largest closed atrium in the world) and crowned the image of the Virgin of Izamal.

ATTRACTIVE

Former Convent of San Antonio de Padua

The neat and quiet streets of Izamal, together with its houses and buildings painted in ocher yellow, give a harmonious atmosphere. Among its buildings, the Ex Convent of San Antonio de Padua stands out, built around 1561 on an ancient Mayan shrine known as Pap-hol-chac.

The Franciscan cloister has high and thick walls, accompanied by 75 arches painted yellow. It has the second largest closed atrium in the world - with more than 7,000 square meters - after Saint Peter in the Vatican. Most of the cutting stone with which the Mayan temples had been built was reused to build this work.

Within this complex is the Temple of the Immaculate Conception. Its cover is in the Plateresque style; and in its interior there is a neo-Gothic altarpiece that houses the sculpture of the Virgin of Izamal, brought from Guatemala by Fray Diego de Landa. In this space, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, a sound and light show called "The light of the Mayas" is presented.

Archaeological zone

Izamal is considered the oldest city in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its archaeological zone reveals the grandeur of its ceremonial plaza flanked by five pyramids whose remains can still be admired and where the ancient Mayans performed rites dedicated to the god Itzamná. Of them, today you can admire the Temple of Kinich Kak Moo, a high-rise pyramid. In its upper part there is a small square that possibly functioned to carry out rites and ceremonies dedicated to the deity Itzamná.

Another building is Itzamatul, which had three construction stages, and Kabul, a basement decorated with stucco masks dedicated to the Mayan sun god.

Cultural and Craft Center Izamal

It is housed in a XNUMXth century mansion and has a magnificent handicraft museum that is worth visiting. It also has a shop where popular art pieces are sold that are produced by small community workshops in the region, using traditional techniques and materials.

Principal Park

Walk on foot, in bike or in a buggy through this space where a sculpture of the controversial Bishop Diego de Landa awaits you. We recommend that you take the “Corner of Legends” tour to discover what lies behind the names of the corners, such as the bull, the Chinese, the May flower and the fallen cross, each with its own history.

Get to know other sites such as the Temple of the Virgen de la Candelaria, the chapels of Santa Cruz, San José and San Ildefonso, and the old train station.

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

The magical towns of Mexico are those that have been recognized for their cultural, historical and natural wealth. Some of the most searched by users on the Internet are Izamal, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Taxco, Pátzcuaro, Tepoztlán, among others. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/ecoturismo-y-conservacion/pueblos-magicos-de-mexico-izamal
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Last modified: March 21, 2024