East Of Merida, Yucatán Peninsula
Yucatán, Mexico.
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George & Eve DeLange

Izamal, Archaeological Ruins And Monastery: Ancient Izamal was considered by the Mayans to be the home of Kinichkakmo, who was both, the sun god, and the god Itzam Na. Itzam Na was a god of healing and resurrection, the creator of arts and writing, and the giver of many important agricultural items. He also was also head of the Mayan pantheon, bearing the title of ahaulil or `Lord' and presided over lesser deities. Five pre-Columbian structures can still be seen in Izamal. The major attraction is the Kinich Kak Mo Pyramid which was once one of the largest pyramids in Mexico. It was dedicated to a solar deity, Kinich Kak Moo. Kinich Kak Mo, has been translated as "Fiery Sun's Face" or "Fire Macaw -- Face of the Sun". This structure is the highest of Yucatán and, by its volume, it is the third most important structure of the country. It reaches about 35 meters of height. In the base its walls measure about 195 meters from east to west and about 173 meters from north to south. Upon this base rests a pyramid of 10 levels. According to legend, offerings left on the pyramid were collected by the god Itzamna, in the form of a macaw. The base measures 200 meters, and rises 36 meters. With a volume of 700,000 cubic meters, this is the largest structure on the Yucatan Peninsula. In 1552 The Roman Catholic Church decided to put an end to the use of the Izamal Pyramid being a shrine to the Mayan Gods, Itzamma and Ix Chel, who were Gods of healing. This was because the Mayans were worshiping their own Gods and it greatly upset the ruling Catholic Authorities. So they simply destroyed almost all of this great pyramid of Kinich Kak Mo and used the blocks from the pyramid to build a monastery in Izamal and from there they could impose their religion upon the people. Friar Diego de Landa built the Basilica on the base of the largest of four main pyramids, a temple known as P'ap'hol-chaak, the home of Chaac. When you visit the Basilica, it sits on the foundation of the temple known as P'ap'hol-chaak. The Kinich Kak Mo Pyramid can be seen outside of the main part of town. This monastery was the headquarters of Bishop Landa, the friar who both destroyed the ancient Mayan civilization by burning its codexes, and preserved a very small amount of it for posterity, by providing the only written documentation of the Mayan society. Of course, who knows what he changed? You can see the remains of the pyramid for free, but If you plan to see the Catholic Church, you must pay to go onto the church grounds or into the church. A second structure lays to the Southeast of town. It is called the pyramid Itzamatul and it is also located at the south flank of what used to be a large village square. It is dedicated to Ppap Hol Chak, and it was partially destroyed in the 16th century when the Franciscan monastery was constructed upon it. A third structure is at the Southwestern side of the central square , known as, Pyramid Hun Pik Tok. A fourth structure is further to the West. It i closed to the public. It is called Kabul and contained a great stucco mask of the Itzamná god. A fifth set of structures are the Xtul, the Habuc, and the Chaltun Has. They were great hills which supported a series of ancient temples and palaces. An interesting thing about the city itself is that many buildings are painted yellow to match the monastery. From Merida, drive East on Highway 180 to the Kantunil exit. Go 17 km North to Izamal.

The Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport, formerly known as Mérida-Rejón Airport (IATA: MID, ICAO: MMMD) is the international airport located in the Mexican city of Mérida, Yucatán. It is located on the southern edge of the city. The airport handles both domestic and international flights, and is open 24 hours a day. We suggest flying into Mérida and staying in one of their many fine hotels when touring Izamal, Archaeological Ruins And Monastery, and the ruins in the surrounding area. We have links on this page that will connect you with flights into Mérida and several of the best hotels in Mérida. After getting a flight and a hotel we suggest asking your hotel concierge to arrange either a car or a tour of Mayapan or the Mérida area. If you call their Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We do this all the time, when traveling in Mexico. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way! Therefore, we have placed links to Priceline.com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Mérida; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area.