This naming of the town halfway between Chichén Itzá and Mérida becomes immediately apparent to visitors, as not only the monumental Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, but also most of the colonial buildings in the small center of Izamal shine in egg yolk yellow. Cobblestone streets, old-fashioned lanterns, and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages contribute to the nostalgic atmosphere, which is considered one of the oldest settlements on the Yucatán Peninsula. Long before the arrival of the Spanish, Mayan cities were located here, the unrestored remains of which can be found scattered throughout the surrounding area. Also the convent itself was built on top of a former pyramid. Its enclosed courtyard is surpassed in size only by St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

But the Spanish missionaries, led by the zealous Diego de Landa, were not content with just destroying the Mayan buildings as a sign of their own superiority. Sources from the time report that the Franciscans committed one of the most horrific massacres in missionary history against the indigenous population in nearby Maní, with Landa himself taking part. In a barbaric act of cultural destruction, he also had most of their writings burned. Years later, he made an unsuitable attempt to reconstruct some of the destroyed knowledge from oral sources.

Despite this historical experience, a large part of the population of Izamal has remained deeply attached to Catholicism to this day, and even the infamous later bishop of Yucatán is commemorated with a statue. Pope John Paul II visited Izamal in 1993. His statue also adorns the courtyard of the convent. Maní, however, was not on his itinerary…

The majority of Izamal’s estimated 17,800 inhabitants belong to the Maya population and speak an indigenous dialect in addition to Spanish.

Inside the Franciscan convent, a magnificently restored altar, a stained glass window dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, and the statue of the Immaculate Virgin, the patron saint of Yucatán, kept on the second floor are particularly impressive.

In the outer corridor of the governor’s palace (now the town hall), you can marvel at a large model of the town and the countless Mayan pyramids in its surroundings. For the best view in reality, head to the Kinich Kakmó pyramid on the northern edge of Izamal, which resembles a symmetrical hill.

For several years now, Izamal has been part of the illustrious circle of “Pueblos Mágicos,” magical places that are characterized by their special cultural authenticity.

An experience that many visitors to Izamal do not want to miss is the Light and Sound Show, which takes place several times a week. The courtyard of the convent is illuminated and brought to life with all kinds of figures. Burning incense, music, and large-scale projections underline the stories told by a narrator.