Izamal

Now doesn’t that sound wonderful? Magical towns? Yes, Mexico has 17 towns that are considered magical and one of them is here in the Yucatan… just 40 minutes from Merida. Izamal is Yucatan’s magical town.

What makes a town magical? According to the requirements to be considered magical by the Mexican government, the town or city must be a small town or city with rich historical tradition. It must be near other turistically interesting sites or large cities, be accessible with good highways and roads, and there must be willingness by the locals to develop the project.

The streets of Izamal at dusk.

What makes Izamal a magical town? Just enter the town and that question will be answered. The first thing that any visitor notices is that the town is painted yellow… all the colonial buildings, the market, the huge convent, everything! The next thing that stands out are the cobblestone streets and the iron lampposts that give the town a tranquil ambiance. The sound of the clippity-clop of the horses pulling calesas or carriages will surely make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. The calesas are a main mode of travel for guests and locals alike in Izamal.

To visit Izamal is to visit a city/town that is alive with three cultures – the ancient Mayan, the colonial and the present day bustling Izamal. Izamal is a monument of color, history and pride that can be felt in its streets and buildings.

Called the City of Hills and located right in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula, Izamal may be the oldest city in the Yucatan. Izamal was conquered by the Spaniards, and the monks in their eagerness to convert the Indians to Catholicism gave the city its religious distinction. To this day, Izamal's people are very devoted to the Immaculate Virgin.

The most important thing to see here is the Franciscan convent that was built over one of the Mayan pyramids. This convent is also famous for the monk Fray Diego de Landa, its founder, who burned all the Indian scripts, and then, feeling remorse for what he had done, tried to rewrite all he could remember of the ways of the Mayans.

It is here where Pope John Paul visited in 1993. This visit has been one of Izamal's claims to fame ever since, and is commemorated by a statue of the Pope in the convent courtyard.

Kinich Kakmo Pyramid

Inside the church itself, you will see the beautifully restored altarpiece, the stained-glass window of St. Francis of Asissi, and many statues along the walls. The second floor is where the statue of Our Lady of Izamal, Queen and Patron Saint of Yucatan, is housed. Note all the gold-leaf paint, crystal chandeliers, flowers and elegantly painted walls. A small church store with postcards and religious souvenirs is on the first floor.

Izamal is a jewel of a colonial city, with almost all the buildings painted an egg-yolk yellow. Cobblestoned streets and colonial lampposts complete the scenery. Clean, peaceful and quaint, this is a great town to stroll through. There are Mayan pyramids, colonial-style buildings, parks and plazas, horses and buggies, and lots of people watching.

Upon arrival, head to the Government Palace to see the large model in the outdoor corridor. It shows the entire town and the tremendous number of Mayan pyramids that are scattered about. To the north are the Mayan ruins of Kinich Kakmo, the most important. This is a largely unrestored pyramid that looks like a very symmetrical hill. A climb to the top will reward you with a beautiful view. You will also want to visit Kabul, Itzamatul and the Conejo.

Next, visit the Museum of the Community, located under the convent in front of Cinco de Mayo Park. All the information is in Spanish, but the exhibits are interesting.

While in Izamal, be sure to hire a horse- drawn carriage (calesa) to take you to the homes where local artisans work their magic creating unique crafts.