Izamal - Convent of San Antonio de Padua

The convent church, with its very plain façade, is a typical example of the fortress-like churches built by the Franciscans in the 16th c. The horseshoe-shaped arch above the arcade dates from the 19th c.

On the walls of the nave hang oil-paintings of archbishops of Mérida. The original altar of the Virgin of Izamal, patroness of Yucatán, which came from Guatemala, was destroyed by fire in 1829; the present altar, a skilful copy, has ten niches, most of which contain effigies of saints. In the convent courtyard is an old Indian sun-stone.

The atrium, church and convent of Convent of San Antonio de Padua are built on the foundations of the large Maya temple of Popol-chac, which the Spaniards called the "Castle of the Kings" (Castillo de los Reyes).

Most of the twelve pyramids which originally stood here were destroyed either by the Spaniards or by natural causes. The three principal pyramids were known by the names of Itza-matul, Kab-ul and Kinich-kakmó, only the last of which, dedicated to the sun god, still conveys some impression of its original imposing bulk. One of the largest pyramids in Mexico, it is notable for the steepness of the staircase leading up to the summit. From the top there are superb panoramic views of the town and surrounding area.