Rutas Turísticas · Tourist Routes
ACANCEH. (cry of the deer) The PYRAMID in the center of town has staircases on all four sides, and stucco masks with original paint remaining. The PALACE OF STUCCOS is known for its stuccos of birds, jaguars, and bats with human features and preserving some of the original paint. Open 8a. to 5p. Mon. to Sun. CUZAMÁ (cenotes): (water of the swallows) At Hacienda Chunkanán, climb on a narrow gauge, horse-drawn railcar for one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life. While passing through henequen (sisal) plantations you will be transported back to the 19th Century with every click and clack of the rails. Then you jump back millions of years when visiting the CENOTES, or Dzonot (cavity with water), along the route. Vital freshwater sources sacred to the Maya, they were believed to be accesses to the underworld. CHELENTÚN, has easy access and a maximum depth of 18 m (60 ft). Take a swim in this beautiful covered pool roofed with stalactites. CHACSICNICHE (red ant tree), is difficult to enter and better for scuba diving. BOLONCHOHOL (nine rat holes) has nine holes in its vault, and at certain hours the sun beams through them, painting the crystalline waters a vibrant turquoise blue. A swim in its waters is a very special experience. Take a trip through the Yucatecan countryside and visit the aquatic Mayan underworld! Open 8a. to 5p. Mon. to Sun. English guided “Truck” MAYAPÁN: (a Mayan standard or flag) Mayan nobility concentrated here in the last great capital of the Maya region. Protecting the city is a huge wall of giant stone blocks. In its center is the PYRAMID OF KUKULCAN, a small-scale imitation of El Castillo at Chichen. On the winter solstice, Kin (the sun) descends down a staircase in an impressive Light and Shadow phenomenon. The OBSERVATORY has 2 stelae, one showing a warrior and the other months of the year. Among the infinity of other ruins is the Temple of Warriors. CENOTE CHUMUL, now dry, was the city’s water supply. Though perhaps not as stunning as Uxmal or Chichen, Mayapan has its own captivating majesty. Open 8a. to 5p. Mon. to Sun. CONVENTS: These sacred buildings of the New Evangelism brought by the Spanish to Yucatan had to rival the magnificent Mayan Temples. Those at ACANCEH and TECOH were built on a pyramid base, and in TEKIT the convent resembles a museum with images in niches. Other convents are located at MAMA, with a proud bell tower and a closed atrium, CHUMAYEL, an example of Medieval Spanish architecture and origin of the Mayan sacred book the Chilam Balam, and TEABO, which has a Franciscan shield in front and a small baroque altar. All are fine examples of Spanish religious architecture built with Mayan knowhow and hard work! MANÍ: (It is over – all the best) Dedicated to San Miguel, the church here functioned as an exclusive school for the children of Mayan chiefs and nobility. Its elegant facade, flanked by two bell towers, has beautiful 17th Century altarpieces dedicated to San Antonio, the Assumption, and the Virgin of Light. The OPEN CHAPEL was the first in Yucatan and was as large as the church itself. In front of this church is where Friar Diego de Landa, blinded by his evangelical zeal, had valuable Mayan codices and images destroyed and burned. Realizing his error, he later began writing his “Account of Things of Yucatan”. Open 6a to 12a and 5p to 7p. Both in Mani and nearby Ticul, the Yucatecan cuisine is exquisite.
32
Explore Yucatán | www.revistaexplore.com
Loltún
Ruta sur · South route Región “PUUC”. (cerro o serranía): Sus habitantes asentados en tierra roja y fértil, desarrollaron cultura muy propia. Su arquitectura destaca por su forma simple, planos alargados, columnas sólo ornamentales, rica y elaborada decoración de piedras formando mosaicos; casi excluye la figura humana, sobresale casi con obsesión Chaac (dios de la lluvia) con visión Estético-Religiosa del que dependían sus cosechas y su agua potable, almacenada en Chultunes (cisternas) creados por ellos. Entre en íntimo contacto con ellos y la naturaleza. LOLTÚN. (Flor de piedra): Grutas. En el acceso Nahcab (colmena) lo recibirá bajorrelieve de “El Guerrero de Loltún”, dios que emerge del inframundo. En visita guiada asómbrese con formaciones abovedadas, estalactitas y estalagmitas; bóvedas como “La Catedral”, impresionante, “La Mazorca”, “El Cañón” de gigantescas rocas. “Las Columnas Musicales” destacan el sonido “loltún” al ser golpeadas; “Los Haltunes” (sartenes) con agua fresca y rebosante. Pinturas rupestres de manos, animales, rostros. Fue refugio durante la Guerra de Castas. Otras galerías y cámaras, completan un recorrido en el espléndido conjunto de Loltún. Visitas guiadas de lunes a domingo. Horario de 9:30,11,12:30,14,15 y 16 hrs.
LABNÁ. (casa vieja): Además de hermosos aunque poco restaurados edificios como “El Palacio” y “El Mirador”, centre su atención en el mundialmente famoso “ARCO DE LABNÁ”: una fachada ornamentada con grecas y columnillas y otra con celosías y chozas mayas; la creación arquitectónica del “arco maya” o “arco falso”, toma magistralmente como inspiración y modelo las chozas mayas de paja. Abierto de lunes a domingo. XLAPAK. (pared vieja): Gema arquitectónica, Puuc es el PALACIO, cuya fachada de trazos muy geométricos, presume un tablero de mosaicos de piedras con grecas, impresionantes mascarones de Chaac adornan esquinas y aparentan desprenderse del techo. Abierto de lunes a domingo. SAYIL (lugar de hormigas): Sus 3 áreas delimitaban la división socioeconómica y religiosa. De sus edificios aún en restauración, destacan, El JUEGO DE PELOTA, EL MIRADOR del que rescataron bellísimas estelas en exhibición a la entrada y el PALACIO: tiene 3 pisos escalonados, cuyos 2 primeros sirven de base y terraza a los cerca de 70 cuartos superiores, en los que desarrollaron nuevos estilos de arquitectura. Abierto de lunes a domingo.