Convent Route

History

UMAN

“Noisy way”, where the magnificent parish of San Francisco, once a 16th century Spanish convent, can be visited. Of imposing proportions, its façade is white with three attractive ogival arches and stone pilasters; the façade was unfinished. A stroll around the market or a ride around the village in an ecological taxi is also recommended.

MUNA

“New Water”, a town with a 17th century temple and ex-convent dedicated to the Assumption and interesting for the lateral belfries, each with three parts, and the pinion which finishes off the façade.

OXKUTZCAB

“Place of the Ramón, Tobacco and Honey”, was founded by the Xiu tribe after these Maya people abandoned the city of Maní. Its temple of San Francisco de Asis was founded in 1581 and finished in 1699, according to the inscription on the façade. Inside, the main altar has Solomonic columns with a niche and sculpting. To one side is the cloister. A visit to the market to try the juices and exotic fruits demonstrates why this place is dubbed “the Orchard of Yucatán”.

MANI

“Everything Ended”, is the place where Fray Diego de Landa ordered the burning and destruction of priceless Mayan documents and statues during the Franciscan movement to convert the indigenous to Christianity. Maní is an important religious site which still conserves impressive examples of its enigmatic past like the Temple of the Convent of San Miguel Arcángel (St. Michael the Archangel), founded in 1549. Also powerfully attractive is the open chapel, which was the first to be constructed in Yucatán and rivals the temple in size. Through the convent walls you can still see the lovingly tended orchard and the remains of the ancient waterwheel.

TEABO

Known for two representative sacred constructions: one, the Parish and ex-Convent of San Pedro and San Pablo, built during the 17th century where, in the interior, is an eye-catching altar with a pair of caryatid columns and, two, the Chapel of the Indians which boasts the date 1617.

CHUMAYEL

“Place of the Seeds”, the cradle of one of the most important documents, the “Chilam Balám, the sacred book of the Maya. In the town you can appreciate the 16th century Temple of the Immaculate Conception. It is a clear example of medieval, crenellated religious architecture, brought to Yucatán by the first Spaniards. Inside the temple is a black wood Christ, which is of special interest.

MAMA

Its Franciscan temple and ex-convent was founded in 1612, and has a beautiful bell tower worthy of much admiration, as is the enclosed atrium, one of the most famous in the region. Behind the building is a lovely garden, a waterwheel and saints in every niche.

TEKIT

A prosperous town and the location of the Parish of San Antonio de Padua which, with its images and saints in every corner, give it the feel of a museum. It has a simple altar.

TECOH

The church and convent dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption are well worth a visit here. Built on the base of a Mayan pyramid, the church has quantities of carved stone, an impressive altar and many paintings. There is a tourist stop where you can take a break while discovering the handcrafts made by Yucatecan hands.

ACANCEH

Its main attraction is the “Plaza of the Three Cultures”, which combines prehispanic, colonial and contemporary eras. Visit the temple dedicated to Our Lady of the Nativity and the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe for examples of pure Franciscan style.