Convento de San Antonio — Attraction in Izamal

Nestled in the heart of Izamal, the Convento de San Antonio stands as a testament to both the rich history of the region and the enduring beauty of colonial architecture. This expansive convent, with its sun-soaked yellow facade, exudes an undeniable charm that captivates visitors from the moment they arrive.

Upon entering the Convento de San Antonio, one is immediately struck by the tranquility that pervades the surroundings. The well-maintained grounds provide a serene backdrop for exploration and contemplation. The courtyard transports visitors to a bygone era, inviting them to wander and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

The architectural grandeur of the convent is nothing short of impressive. The imposing structure, dating back to the 16th century, boasts a harmonious blend of Spanish and Mayan influences. The ornate details adorning the facade speak to the craftsmanship of the artisans who contributed to the convent's construction. Each archway and column seems to tell a story, making it a haven for history enthusiasts and architectural aficionados alike.

Inside the Convento de San Antonio, the artistry continues to unfold. The chapel, with its high vaulted ceilings and gilded altars, is a breathtaking testament to religious devotion and artistic mastery. The delicate frescoes that adorn the walls narrate tales of the region's complex history, providing a visual feast for those eager to delve into the cultural tapestry of the Yucatán.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore the convent's various rooms, each revealing a different facet of its storied past. From the living quarters of the monks to the impressive library housing ancient manuscripts, every corner of the Convento de San Antonio unveils a rich tapestry of history, culture, and spirituality.

The convent's location in Izamal adds to its allure. Known as the "Yellow City" due to its characteristic golden buildings, Izamal provides a picturesque setting for this historical gem. Visitors can easily lose themselves in the narrow cobblestone streets, discovering hidden gems and enjoying the warm hospitality of the locals.

The Convento de San Antonio in Izamal stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of colonial architecture and the rich cultural heritage of the region. Its expansive grounds, intricate details, and historical significance make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a blend of tranquility, history, and...

Visiting the town, better say village of Izamal was supposed to be one of the highlights of our Yucatan tour. Unfortunately, we left disappointed and shocked. San Antonio of Padua has a great importance in our family as we were married in his Church in our hometown and both our children baptized there. Therefore, we visit this saint's Churches wherever we travel and find them. When I planned our Yucatan tour I was really excited to learn there was one here in Izamal, as I had no idea about that before. Add to that the yellow-white beauty of the city and it was put on our tour map as a highlight. The convent is very big, with a huge rectangular courtyard right in the center of Izamal. It was built in the mid 16c when Spaniards arrived, and the stones of demolished Mayan pyramids around were used as foundations. When we arrived the Mass was going on so it was closed. We waited patiently more than half an hour to be finished and to enter the Church. During that time we explored entire grounds, took a photo from every angle, found the monuments of both - San Antonio and Pope John Paul and spent some time in convent's store where we bought some souvenirs for home. My wife was first in a new formed line, and everybody knew us as we were the only tourists (non-Mexicans) there. Finally the door opened. The priest announced in Spanish that only those for a new Mass can enter. I explained him on my poor Spanish (with help of locals from the line) that we waited 40 min and just wanted to visit for 5 min. He declined that sharply. After my trying to persuade him explaining where we are from he started yelling at me telling us to leave. I have never experienced such a behavior of Church member. It was more like a prison guard than a priest. We were shocked, surprised and felt humiliated. Same face impressions I saw on locals from the line who didn't feel pleasant about that. I am sorry I don't know his name to public it, but he's such a shame for the Convent. I also feel very bad to rate my Patron saint's Church 3, but 5 is for the site and 1 for the priest, so it makes...

We came here as a part of a Carnival cruise excursion group, and after hearing about the history of the place from a local guide, were given 10 minutes to use the banos and explore. Because we were part of the tour group, we didn't have to pay the 200 pesos apiece to use the dirty restrooms with barely working locks on the stalls and no toilet seats. I guess it's part of the authentic, historic experience of visiting at 600+ year old convent.

The golden city is beautiful, and on its raised ground the convent affords a wonderful view of it. We explored the interior as well, including a courtyard, chapel with a nice nativity scene, ancient confessional booths, and many other little remarkable things, but since we were so limited on time, we mostly hoofed it through and snapped photos.

We were both hungry, so my man and I stopped in the gift shop and bought a couple of bags of chips. I bought the lemon ones, never having tried lemon chips, and he bought Cheetos. The nun was friendly and asked for the payment in pesos, but pulled out her calculator when we said we only had US dollars and quickly gave us a total. She even obligingly gave us our change back in split denominations as we requested - a $1 USD worth of pesos and the rest in USD, with more calculations.

Overall, we enjoyed our brief tour of the place. The restrooms were the only negative part of the experience, and if they're going to charge people to use them, they should at least install seats and keep them...