[soliloquy id=”11244″]
The colorful houses and haciendas make this colonial city the most iconic in the Yucatan peninsula! It’s a fun stop after a long day visiting archeological sites. All Chichen Itza tours will take you for a quick stop in Valladolid.
Valladolid was the second colonial town built by the Spaniards in Mexico, the first was Merida. It was established by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo’s nephew on May 27, 1543. The town was originally 50 miles from the coast in Tizimin but the Spanish settlers complained about the mosquitoes and humidity so it was relocated to where it stands today. It was moved to it’s new location on March 24, 1545.
The city was built on top of a Mayan town named Zaci-Val. The Mayan buildings and temples were dismantled and reused to build the town. This outraged the Mayans and the next year they revolted. Their efforts were put down by the Spanish who received reinforcements from troops that came down from Merida to stop the revolt.
The Mayans were calm for a few hundred years until January 1847. It was the beginning of the Yucatan Castle war and the Mayans decided to riot. They killed eighty whites and sacked their homes. A Mayan noble was killed by firing squad and the riot turned into an uprising. The entire region was at war and intense battles took place between the Mayans and the Ladino forces.
On March 14 1848, Ladino forces abandoned Valladolid and half were killed by ambush before reaching Merida. It was a temporary win for the Mayas, the Spanish took the town back later on in the Spanish war.
The Cathedral of San Gervacio was originally built in 1545 and it faced west cause it was built on top of a Mayan temple and the temple faced west. In 1705 it was destroyed and rebuilt the following year with a new orientation. The new church faced north into the plaza instead of west. The church that was built in 1706 is the one that stands today.
Valladolid
Yucatan, Mexico
The easiest way to get here from Cancun is on a tour. If you prefer driving. From Cancun, take Cancun-Kantunil/Mexico 180D. Take the Carr. Federal 295 exit towards Tizimin. Take Calle 41/Valladolid and arrive at destination.
There are accommodations in Valladolid. This is an easy site to visit from Cancun. Please search for your vacation below. Start with your flight dates and add a hotel to create a personalized package! My link will find you the Best Price online!
28Jan 2020
Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA. Home of the Red Willow people in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountain...
06Jan 2020
Walk inside beautifully reconstructed cliff dwellings, just an hour and a half from Denver, at Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
24Dec 2019
Plan your day trip here with my list of cool things to do in Golden Colorado. Learn about Buffalo Bill, beer, trains, and more!
20Dec 2019
16Dec 2019
Monument Valley features iconic red buttes that tower up to twelve-thousand feet high, You may recognize it from movies such as Forest Gump.
12Dec 2019
With over six acres of artifacts, recreations and testimonials, The National WWII Museum is one of the top ten best museums in the US....
06Dec 2019
Come see the beautiful cliff dwellings at Hovenweep National Monument. Unlike Mesa Verde, these are perched on canyon rims and carefully balanced on uneven...
02Dec 2019
With 1% of the capital construction funds invested in art. Denver Public Art is among the finest in the USA. Over 60 sculptures and...
Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA. Home of the Red…
Walk inside beautifully reconstructed cliff dwellings, just an hour and a half from Denver, at…
Plan your day trip here with my list of cool things to do in Golden…
Monument Valley features iconic red buttes that tower up to twelve-thousand feet high, You may…
With over six acres of artifacts, recreations and testimonials, The National WWII Museum is one…