In the colonial city of Valladolid you have the opportunity to visit the second largest convent of the Yucatan Peninsula, the convent of San Bernardino de Siena. We continue learning about History through stones.

San Bernardino of Siena It was a convent of the powerful order of the Franciscans. Three religious orders arrived in the Yucatan peninsula at the time of the Spanish conquest, the Franciscans They were the first to disembark at 1544.

This religious order was the most active in the evangelization of the Mayans. Their churches were open centers of culture and evangelization where the Maya went to be indoctrinated. Many preferred to be on missions not working for encomenderos and authorities, who abused them in slave labor. So to speak, religion was a lesser evil in those times.

El religious syncretism of the Mayan peoples that we currently live derives from this era and it is fascinating how they mix the different beliefs of the ancient gods with Catholicism.

Don't miss the best for to do in Valladolid

San Antonio de Pádua convent. Izamal, Yucatan, Mexico,
Convent of San Antonio de Padua s.XVI, the largest in Yucatan

Convent of San Bernardino de Siena

San Bernardino de Siena is one of the oldest founded temples in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is the second largest after the Convent of San Antonio de Padua de Izamal, also a Franciscan. 

The works of construction de San Bernardino of Siena They began in 1552. The coat of arms of the Franciscan order with the Roman numeral MDLX, 1560, is carved over the main door, the year the temple was completed. That is the date when they are blessed and their doors are opened to the community.

The construction works of the church, the convent, the cloister and the water wheel were completed in 1613, as is marked in an inscription in the ruins of the garden of the wheel. This Ferris wheel was made on the cenote Sis Ha to go down to collect the waters to the underworld of the convent. It was used to extract water for daily use and to irrigate the extensive and fruitful garden. It is one of the largest waterwheels in the region, along with the one you can see in the town of Mama, on the Route of the Convents.

Details arches, Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

The strong nave of the convent of San Bernardino de Siena 45.17 meters long and 10.50 meters wide, it is built of masonry that form thick walls. This nave is divided into three parts: choir, central body and presbytery. On the right side the entrances to the baptistery, chapel of San Antonio and patio; on the left the doors that communicate with the former convent and sacristy.

Convent of San Bernardino de Siena Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

It is not a very crowded place so it is easy to walk in absolute silence between its thick walls and feel the stillness of the place. Inside the convent there is a small museum with several of the objects found in the cenote and the history of the construction of the temple.

Visit San Bernardino of Siena It is interesting to approach an important part of the history of colonization and evangelization of this Mayan territory.

San Bernardino convent of Siena Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.
Sisal convent, Yucatan, Mexico.
Christian cross. Sisal Valladolid Church, Yucatan, Mexico.

The convent of San Bernardino de Sisal It is also known as the church of Sisal, referring to the name of this neighborhood of Valladolid. From the main square there is a nice walk that runs through the Calzada de los Frailes, of the most beautiful streets of Valladolid.

Here several shops and restaurants proliferate to the taste of the traveler. In the nice San Bernardino Convent Square there are restaurants like Yerbabuena del Sisal It's well worth a stop on your way.

Streets of Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.
Calzada de los Frailes

Show lights and sound convent Valladolid. Videomapping

Valladolid is a city with many cultural activitiesIt is not Merida, but I prefer it. Since 2015 in the San Bernardino convent of Siena they make a show lights and sounds. The show is projected on the facade of the convent and they narrate for half an hour the history of the city of Valladolid and its emblematic sites. 

It's funny how they like light and sound shows in the Yucatan peninsula, in places like Chichén Itzá, Edzná, Uxmal, Izamal you can see them.

Audiovisual projection on facades of the convent of San Bernardino, Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

The show makes you the night in Valladolid, you buy an ice cream and savor the city to your liking. Valladolid is a very comfortable city to stay a few days, it is a good base to know the surroundings.

Take advantage of the city's activities, stroll its streets and visit interesting spaces such as the House of the Deer, the Museum of San Roque, the Church of San Servacio, the Zací cenote, the Municipal Palace or the San Bernardino de Siena convent.

Enjoy Valladolid and do not miss the visit to the convent of San Bernardino de Siena.

Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, Valladolid 1

Convents of San Bernardino de Siena in Valladolid, towns

LOCATION: the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena is located at the end of Calzada de los Frailes. Sisal neighborhood, Valladolid. From the main square you take Calle 41 to Calzada de los Frailes, about 20 minutes walk.
HOURS AND PRICE: from 8 to 18 hours daily. They charge about 30 pesos.
SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW: Tuesday to Friday at 20:18 p.m. Saturday from 30:XNUMX p.m. The show is free.

Good way,

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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