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Source: http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/Visitmexico/Visit_izamal
Origin of name: the name refers to Zamna, “dew if heaven”, wisdom, a unique character of mythical origin considered as an instructor and teacher of the Maya.
>Location: Izamal is located in the state of Yucatán, 72 km east of Mérida city, on highway #180, deviation to the left up to km 40 in the town of Hoctún.
Its average annual temperature is from 24 to 28ºC, the average temperature of the coldest month is 18ºC and includes the total annual precipitation of 700 to a thousand millimeters.
Around Izamal, due to the characteristics of its location, there are few water bodies, including two cenotes, and because the of type of ground of the peninsula, the surface streams are almost nonexistent.
History: Izamal is a beautiful colonial town founded in the mid-sixteenth century on the remains of an ancient Mayan City, its most important building is the monastery of Our Lady of Izamal built on the ruins of a Mayan temple called Pap-hol-chak.
In 1992, Izamal was visited by Pope John Paul II, who celebrated a memorable mass in the great court above the Temple of the Immaculate Conception and the former Convent of San Antonio de Padua. Since then most houses and buildings that decorate its historical center are painted white and yellow: the Vatican colors.
>Population: In Izamal, most people work to trade as well as various activities related to agriculture.
>Sightseeing: The village built on 12 small hills break the flatness of the environment, still retains vestiges of its ancient and immense power: ritual slaughter cenotes are around. From the ancient four old white roads or sacbés which led into allied or subjugated cities, you can still admire two. Ake and Kantunil, satellites of the great Mayan city are, on a clear day, visible from the top of the pyramid of Kinich Kakmó.
For visitors the cobblestone streets, stone and asphalt of Izamal require a long walk to enjoy your view everywhere. The sound of history calls.
>Archaeological Area: The pre-Hispanic city was occupied from about the year 300 BC, until very near the time of the Spanish conquest, as in the chronicles of Friar Diego de Landa and relates the grandeur of its buildings. Currently, the most important building is the temple of Kak Moo Kinich or Great Pyramid which stands out for its height. At its top is a little square that might work for rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the deity Itzamná.
Temple of the Immaculate Conception and former Convent of San Antonio de Padua
Three major ramps oriented north, south and west provide access to the monumental atrium, considered the largest in Latin America (with an area of nearly 8,000 square meters) which was completed in1561. The front of the temple is Plateresque, while the window of the choir has a strong Moorish taste, in the pinnacle will open three-lighted belfries. The interior has a nave with barrel vaults and tracery in the chancel, where there is a neo-Gothic altarpiece of the late nineteenth century which houses the statue of the Virgin of Izamal. It is located in the streets 30 and 31. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the former Convent of San Antonio de Padua form an impressive whole raised on a prehispanic platform that was part of the hill called “Pap-Hol-Chak” which was practically destroyed by the Spanish to build the set convent, at the request of Friar Diego de Landa between 1553 and 1561. The former convent of Izamal of sober architecture and large dimensions, is situated towards the northern part of the temple.
Here we present a sound and light show called “The Light of the Maya” on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 20:30 hrs.
>Feasts: A few months passed in this land without music, dance, offerings and prayer, form the multicolored mosaic that adorns and decorates beyond the glorious yellow, the city. However, the party, what might be called party, in June and December emerges from the four corners and the city of Izamal fills with incense, flowers, prayers and songs.
In June, after 13 laps, the party is done and the locals worship San Antonio de Padua. The atrium of the convent is colored rainbow. The songs are heard from morning and when the sun has finished its tour, the Virgin of Izamal wanders the streets, blessings are asked, promises are made, and songs are offered for her day in December. By day 21, the feast is over, but in a respectfully way, marks the vernal equinox.
Before December, the dead have been celebrated and honored; the flowers wither slowly in the cemetery. The dawn on November 29 comes with noise and in heaven and prayers on earth; multicolored stands are placed on main streets for nine days and nights, one will anxiously await December 8 to celebrate the Virgin of Izamal, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
>Cuisine: The cuisine of Izamal has all the charm and wonder of Yucatecan food. The market or a good restaurant are an opportunity to entertain the palate with the exquisite mestizo touch of these lands: beans with pork, chaya with egg, chicken casserole, filled cheese, salbutes, panuchos, pipián deer, papadzules, sausage, cochinita pibil, joroches, mucbil chicken, pimes and tamales are just a few of the dishes to be enjoyed together with xtabentun, balché, anis drink, posol with coconutnor a fresh horchata. To end on a sweet taste in the mouth, nothing like yucca with honey, honeyed pumpkin, sweet potato with coconut, cocoyol in syrup, pumpkin seed marzipan, molasses candy, arepas, tejocotes in syrup or fresh ciricote.
>Crafts: The population of Izamal can make dreams with the hands. Here the work of jewelry and leatherwork are of unsurpassed beauty: a hammock woven from sisal fiber for unforgettable naps; the furniture and ceramics are also a good option for visitors.
Out skirts:
Chichén Itzá.
Important ceremonial center located at 121 kilometers east of Mérida city, on highway # 180. Two cultural monuments, the product of two great invasions, marked this important city: one by a group from Tabasco known as the Itzaes, and another by the Toltecs, led by a character identified as Quetzalcoatl. This last invasion brought a new set of cultural elements, as the feathered serpent, which here took the name of Kukulcan. Likewise, the architectural style of the Toltecs, suffered an interesting fusion of existing styles in the area, from the regions of Puuc and Chenes. It is believed that the city was abandoned by the thirteenth century A.D. after 300 years of development.
>Traveler’s notes:
Tourism offices
Yucatán
Ministry of Tourism of Yucatán
Centro de Convenciones Yucatán Siglo XXI. Calle 60 Norte s/n, Col. Revolución, Mérida, Yucatán.
Phone number: (999) 930 37 66
www.mayayucatan.com.mx
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