Location near of the MAYAN RUINS

 

 

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Y U C A T A N :

The state of Yucatán is in the northwest part of the Peninsula of Yucatán. The states largest border is the Gulf of Mexico which wraps around from the west to the entire northern boundary.

Yucatan also shares borders with Campeche in the south and Quintana Roo on the south and also the entire eastern boundary. Yucatan is known for its impressive ruins of the Maya including the majestic Chichen Itza and the Pyramid of Kukulcán. 

The Puuc cities, renowned for carved facades, are perhaps the most intricate in all the Mayab, include Uxmal, Kabah, Labná, Sayil, Chacmultún, Oxkintok and Xlapak. Other ruins include Acancéh, Aké, Ek Balam, Dzibilchaltún, Izamal, Mayapán and Yaxuná. The ancient caverns of Loltun and Balancanche are also located in the Yucatan.

The Spaniards also left their mark on the Yucatan. The conquest of the Yucatan took hundreds of years and the evidence of these battles can only be found in the Yucatan. The conquest of the peninsula began in 1526 by Francisco of Montejo and the first conquest ended in the year 1541. 

Thereafter life was controlled by the Spanish and the descendants of the Maya were used as slave labor on huge plantations. The colonial history is closely linked to the success of the local henequen (sisal) industry on the impressive Hacienda's which dot the land. They dominated the commercial markets of the Yucatan.

The coast of the Yucatan is loaded with deserted beaches, small tranquil fishing villages and the nature reserves of Celestún and Río Lagartos.

The city of Mérida was founded on January 6, 1542, by Captain General Francisco de Montejo, on the site of an Indian settlement called T'ho. It is the capital of the Yucatan and its largest city. Merida has been called the 'White City' because of its incredibly clean streets and the fact that the locals wear white clothes. 

Valladolid, a city built out of stone, is situated in the Yucatán, exactly half way between Mérida and Cancun, only 29 miles east of Chichén Itzá. The city dates back to the early days of the Spanish Conquest and was built in the 1500's. 

After making war on the Cupules he built Valladolid on top of the temples. Valladolid, after the city of the same name in Spain is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were married.

Interestingly enough the Spanish Government has recently deemed Valladolid as one of the most authentic Spanish cities in the Americas and has granted large sums of money to aid in its preservation.

In all there are 8 separate parts to the city, counting the center or "El Centro" or "Zocalo", which is one of the most beautiful and majestic places on earth. The park is kept immaculate in fact it is cleaned every day, 7 days a week, at 5 A.M., by a host of park sweepers and cleaners.

If you don't jog early you will never see them. The park is also home to probably 10,000 birds all of which great early risers with a din that has to be seen (or heard) to be believed. On the south side of the park is the majestic Cathedral of San Gervasio. 

The cathedral was completed in 1570 by The Franciscans. But, due the struggle between the Maya and the Spanish the church was desecrated by violence. So in 1702, it was destroyed and rebuilt. The church is considered chastised and is the only one whose main doors face north instead of west.

It is called 'Sisal' to the locals, but is better known as the Monastery of Saint Bernardino of Siena. It was the first church constructed on American soil and its size is imposing. It is one of the most beautiful buildings of the colonial era. 

One block east of the Zocalo is the Museum of San Roque which houses hundreds of items pertaining to the life of the Maya. From the Maya Wars to agricultural pursuits. The museum also has a beautiful park in back with plants and its from the history of Valladolid and the region. The museum is open daily, free of charge.

A short distance west of Valladolid is the enchanting refreshing cenote at Dzitnup. The sun shines through a hole in the ceiling lighting the water below in a very majestic pattern.

There are a myriad of stories about rituals and such that were performed by the Maya in this cenote, but the truth is that the cenote was discovered in modern times by a farmer whose pig fell in. Pig in Mayan is kiken, and that is the actual name of the cenote.

Valladolid is also the marketplace for over a hundred small villages where the descendants of the Maya make handicrafts and grow crops. These descendants of the Maya are hard working and industrious, and they are a very spiritual and peaceful people. They come to Valladolid, everyday to sell their wares in the market place and on the streets. 

Valladolid is also located in the middle of the Maya Ruins. There is no city closer to more ruins than Valladolid. The new archaeological findings at Ek Balam are astounding the science world and the ruins are located 20 minutes north of the city.

The city of Izamal is located near the train tracks which run from Merida to Valladolid. The city is one of the ancient Maya cities and also one of the first Colonial cities as well.

TIZIMIN

Tz' min is how you say horse in Mayan. And the region is appropriately named. The largest and best cattle herds and operators of the Peninsula can be found in and around Tizimin. It has less rocks per square acre than the rest of the peninsula and as such is more suited to grazing of livestock. The town has a large Zoo, many different sections including one called 8 streets.