Road trip to Izamal - Yucatan adventure in Mexico
Fray Diego de Landa's statue the Spanish Franciscan monk who built the convent
About 50 miles east of Merida is the Spanish colonial town and ancient Maya city of Izamal, where Franciscan monk Fray Diego de Landa built the largest convent in the Americans in the early 16th century. We came here to re-visit Izamal, take some pictures and see how things had changed since 1994 when we first visited. Izamal is full of history. The "San Antonio De Padua" convent sits on top of a former Mayan temple (Pop-hol-Chac) whose stone was stripped to build the convent. Another tremendous Maya temple mound, "Kinich-Kakmo" can be seen across the town square in the distance, hence the name, Izamal, the "City of Hills".
At the foot of the convent's entrance ladies sell candles in glass cups and miracle charms called "milagros" for offerings inside the convent, or as souvenirs.
A little history
Friar Landa is best known for his controversial burning of the Mayan Codicies which consisted of hundreds of parchment scripts full of glyphs recording virtually every aspect of Maya life; their customs, beliefs and daily activities. Landa later regretted the burning and made an effort to write down all that his Maya converts could remember about their former civilization while he added his own observations of the events that were changing their lives and would shape their future. The book he produced in 1566 - "Relación de Las Cosas de Yucatan" was translated to English, with notes by William Gates, and was released under the title "Yucatan, Before and After the Conquest" in 1978. It is fascinating and heart breaking at the same time and is still regarded as the best historical document on the Maya.
 |
The grand entrance to the convent's courtyard |
 |
Inside the convent's tremendous courtyard surrounded by arched columns, leading to the entrance |
 |
A physically challenged man walks toward the entrance to the convent |
 |
Intricately carved wooden doors lead into the altar |
 |
The altar is covered with gold |
 |
View of the zocalo from the convent's courtyard |
 |
Horse and carriage "taxis" offer rides around Izamal |
 |
The "arch" next to the convent is one of Izamal's landmarks |
Around the zocaloIzamal's zocalo (town square) is a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. We bought some delicious cut-up mango in a cup and then wandered over to "Hecho a Mano", a store that Kay had heard of and wanted to investigate. There we met Hector Garza, the owner who has been in business selling local folk art and crafts for years. He had quite an interesting collection of rare photographs, books, masks, hammocks, statues, figurines and many other collectibles. |
|
 |
Hector Garza- owner of "Hecho a Mano" collectible folk art and rare crafts |
 |
The colonial architecture around Izamal is beautiful. Most of the buildings are painted the traditional golden color. This building on the zacalo is where Hecho a Mano is located. |
 |
Kay with the "festival fish" ornament, made to be worn around the waist in a dia del festival celebration, and a photo we bought at Hecho a Mano. |
