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Historical cities of Yucatán

Since Yucatán provides a big amount of important historical cities we chose to introduce a selection for you to get an impression of the different varieties. Come to Yucatán and find out more about its colorful sights.

Dzibilchaltún

“The place where there is writing on flat stones” was one of the great urban centers that flourished in the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of the oldest cities, with its existence verified by evidence dating from 500 BC to 1500 AD. Dzibilchaltún extends over 17 square kilometers with an estimated 8.000 architectural structures, some of which have been excavated.

Situated a few kilometers from the coast, its economy thrived with marine produce from the Gulf, salt production, tools from sea-shells and consuming seafood. The same benefits were reaped inland by the cultivation of corn.

The city has conserved 12 sacbes or white paths, the majority of which fan out from the center and lead towards the peripheral structures. One leads to the cenote Xlakáh (old town). Bone, stone and wooden artifacts have been recovered from the site.

The most striking building in this zone is the "temple of the seven dolls". The building was given this name for the offering of seven clay dolls, each in human form, found inside. A solar phenomenon takes place each equinox through the central door. The sun goes directly through the hole in the middle of the temple. The equinox can be observed in the most important temple on March 21st and September 21st.

In addition there is an open chapel, whose simplistic architecture was the background for the Maya as they were taught the new religion. Also visit the museum where, among other things, you'll find a typical Mayan house. The walkway through trees native to the region leads directly to the temples.

Dzibilchaltún brings together a pre-Hispanic city, an eco-archaeological park and the Museum of the Maya people, where a host of representative pieces from the area, such as a typical Mayan house, can be seen.

The city is located 14 km along the Mérida - Progreso road.

Xcambó

“Heavenly Crocodile” lies in a humid marsh forest, just 2 km from the coast. It was valuable during the commercial and salt - mining development of the pre - Hispanic era. The chapel was built on top of one of the main Mayan bases. Although no longer the place of pilgrimage and devotion it once was, the Virgin is still worshiped. There is a colorful festival in honor of the Virgin Maria taking place every year in May.

The "temple of the cross" and the "temple of sacrifices" can also be admired here, the former having a great stepped base with a cross on the upper part. The natural setting of mangroves and palms give it a wonderfully attractive tropical air. The offerings found in the numerous graves here are rich in multicolored ceramics from Guatemala and female figurines from Jaina and Veracruz, and make Xcambó a perfect shrine.

 The archaeological zones are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Xcambó is located 6 km from Telchac Puerto.

 

Valladolid

Founded in 1543 on the ancient Mayan city of Zaci, “the pearl of the east” is a welcoming city, full of history and a place Yucatán is truly proud of. For centuries it has been recognized for its rich Spanish legacy, made tangible in the temples and old parishes.

Valladolid has an exceptional colonial flavor. Walking through its streets with their brightly painted houses, the churches and, of course, the convent of San Bernardino of Siena, is like walking directly into the past. The Franciscan presence is palpable here, as it is all over the peninsula. In the heat of the day the laurels in the Main Square offer shade to locals and travelers alike; the birds gather and fill the air with their calls as the day draws to a close.

Located in the east of the peninsula, Valladolid was the scene of rebellions and battles between conquerors and conquered. Lying 50 km from the coast, this was also an important political and religious center and residence of the hierarchy of the Cupul family. Crushing them was a difficult task for the Spanish soldiers, nevertheless on the 23rd of May 1543, Captain Francisco de Montejo “The Nephew” finally founded the village which he called Valladolid, in homage to the Spanish city of the same name.

Among its attractions is the imposing convent of San Bernardino, with its majestic proportions and discreet Franciscan style. The main altarpiece was worked in wood painted in gold, with sculptures and motifs that give it an unmistakable baroque feel. The Virgin of Guadalupe is found here, the most worshiped by Mexicans: she is approximately 400 years old. San Gervasio church with its glorious towers, brandishes the cannons which served to recover the city in 1848, from the hands of the rebel Indians who started the Caste wars. The streets proudly conserve this glorious past.

The "municipal palace" and the "temple of San Juan of God" can also be enjoyed. Leather and heneken handicrafts can be found in establishments throughout the city, along with hammocks, weavings from different plant fibers, and stone carvings.

Here you can visit not only the beautiful suburbs and churches, but also the museum of San Roque, located on the same street as the Cathedral and the Government Palace.

The city is surrounded by natural beauty: the Zaci cenote, a deep fresh-water deposit which once supplied the entire population and now serves as a restaurant and natural pool, the cenote Ik'kil (5 minutes from Chichén Itzá), the archaeological zone of Ek Balam (20 minutes to the north) and the caves of Balankanché.

Valladolid can accommodate all tastes and budgets, with various restaurants serving national and international cuisine. There are numerous restaurants where the delicious local cuisine can be tried: among the specialties are oriental escabeche (a spicy marinade), turkey en sak-kol, smoked sausage and the typical tender pork loin, all of which make Valladolid a vibrant example of the provincial flavor of Mexico. 

Valladolid is located 160 km east of Mérida.

Izamal, a magical Mexican city, geographically right in the center of the Yucatán peninsula, is considered one of the most ancient cities, even older than Chichén Itzá and Uxmal: the first settlements here date back to the III century AD. Its history, from foundation to the present has strong religious ties, for this site was once an enormous Mayan cultural center.

The pyramids, temples and colonial mansions are silhouetted against the starry heavens: shadows that seem to awaken from a centuries-old dream. The second most significant structure in Izamal is the pyramid of Itzamatul standing 22 meters high. Around 80 pre-Hispanic structures have been found on the site during innumerable excavations and restorations.

During the Post-Classic period, Izamal experienced a popularity boom as a Mayan Toltec city, but like other major cities of this era, it was later abandoned. When the Spanish arrived, the place was all but deserted and belonged to an indigenous group called the Cocoms. An important ceremonial center, seven pyramids had been erected on the site; and although the Spaniards respected some of the temples, many of the stones were used to give life to new constructions.

This was the case with the majestic convent of San Antonio de Padua. The convent was founded by the priest Fray Diego de Landa and Franciscan missionaries in 1549. The courtyard is the second after St. Peter's in the Vatican in size, and was chosen by his Holiness Pope John Paul the Second for his reunion with a host of ethnic groups on one of his visits to Mexico.


Izamal captivates its guests with its beautiful architecture, picturesque streets and alleys, the majesty of it Mayan pyramids and its people’s hospitality.

Horse-drawn carriages take the visitor for a charming ride down neat cobble-stone streets, around the parks, squares and historical suburbs where Fray Diego de Landa himself seems to speak to us of the quality of the people, so alive and proud of their past. At night the view from the city is extraordinary.


Now Izamal has a new attraction, perfect to enjoy after dark: “The Light of the Maya”. This stunning light-and-sound show mixes architectural lighting effects, audio and still image projections in the sublime setting of the atrium of the San Antonio de Padua ex-Franciscan convent. The “Voices and Magic of Izamal” concert is a cultural performance based on a pleasing and interesting historical documentary relating the presence, faces and works of the Mayas. Truly, the concert “Voices and Magic of Izamal” is an event not to be missed. It is shown every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Izamal is located right in the middle of the peninsula, 72 km east of Mérida.

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