CONVENTO DE SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
Establishment founded by Franciscan monks, built on the ruins of the pre-Hispanic ceremonial center
More imposing than majestic, the establishment was founded in 1549 by Franciscan monks, but it was only later, in 1553, that the Spaniard Fray Diego de Landa initiated its construction, on the ruins of the pre-Hispanic Pap-Hol-Chac ceremonial centre. He himself would bring from Guatemala the image of the Virgin, considered miraculous throughout Yucatán since she had cured several plague epidemics in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This image is now locked in a display case, having been the object of several attacks and attempted thefts. It only comes out in December for a procession, when pilgrims come from all over the peninsula to celebrate its birthday. In 1993, Pope John Paul II came from further afield to celebrate the jewel of the convent. From his visit, during a stopover in Yucatán, remains a statue that now stands in the middle of the atrium.
The original plan of the complex was in line with the architectural policy of the Franciscans in the region: a large atrium, a church (whose present façade dates from the 18th century), the monastery and its gardens proper, plus four capillas de indios, the chapels dedicated to the evangelisation of the indigenous communities. Mural paintings dating from the 16th century can still be seen. El camarín de la Virgen (Room of the Virgin) on the floor behind the church was not added until the seventeenth century.
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De belles photos.
La ville autour vaut la peine de s y attarder également .