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Yucatan’s peninsula has many wonders besides beautiful beaches or an amazing biodiversity.
As we have talked about it in other blogs, Yucatan is part of the legacy of one of the most important cultures of all time, the Mayan, but also has been through another important moment in history: the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
In Izamal, a town located close to Merida, these two cultures, or at least their representative architecture of this differents periods of time, can be seen in the streets, making it an extraordinary place to visit.
Because of its antiquity wonders, the government designated this town as a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town), a program that protects and promotes this type of town with cultural richness.
Izamal, is also called “the yellow city” because of the color of most of its buildings and “the city of the three cultures” referring to the Mayan, the Spanish conquest and the current one.
If you are planning to visit Izamal, or if you are considering taking our Ria Ayin visit in this city, here’s some places you could be able to admire!
Places to visit in Izamal
Monastery of St. Anthony of Padua
This church was one of the first ones to be built in Yucatan around the year of 1549 by Franciscan missionaries. They made the construction in one of the largest pyramids of the Mayan culture in Izamal.
The church is recognized for having the biggest atrium in America and one of the biggest ones in the world.
Center of Izamal
In the center of the town, in the north of the Monastery of St. Anthony of Padua there is the Plaza Zamná, the main square. This was an important construction because of its connection to the Monastery. They created portals between them so pilgrims could pass.
Around the land of the center of Izamal, they also constructed many things such as a chapel, houses with materials of that time, portals, arches and more squares like plaza Zamná.
Close to one of those squares, they also constructed royal houses that eventually became a public jail and barracks, among other buildings for different purposes.
Mayan ruins
On the side of Mayan history, in Izamal exist a few ruins like pyramids that give the town another unique quality.
For example, there’s the pyramid of Kinich Kak Moo, the biggest one in the Yucatan’s peninsula and the third one in all Mexico. Its name in Spanish means “Guacamaya de fuego con rostro solar” meaning “Fire macaw with solar face”. The Mayas believed that the god Kinich visited earth in the form of a macaw to purify the sacrifices that they made.
Some other ruins that you could be able to see are the Tu’UI pyramid also known as El conejo (the rabbit), the Habuk pyramid which name means “dress of water” and the second biggest one in Izamal, the Itzamatúl pyramid.
If you are interested in to visit this amazing town you should check our Ria Aayin website where we have great packages and wonderful apartments for your staying in Yucatan!
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