Drive Through Valladolid

We had one more stop - sort of - before our final destination, Chichen Itza. We were treated to some visual display of colonial delight. We visited Valladolid, Mexico, named after the same city in Spain.

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Located halfway (two hours from each) between Mérida and Cancún, Valladolid is a bustling Mayan city with a special colonial flavor. This is where you will see the majority of the townspeople still using the typical dress of the Mayas, and the buildings around the Main Plaza painted pastel colors. You will surely get a sense of the laid-back pace of life.

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Valladolid is known as “The Sultan of the East,” a title given for the architectural beauty of its colonial buildings.
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The Church of San Servacio is in the Centro of Valladolid, on the south side of the main plaza, on Calle 41 between 40 and 42. This church took the place of the one which was erected on March 24, 1545, by Padre Francisco Hernández whose façade faced the west, which was the custom for Yucatecan temples in the Colonial era. In 1705 the original church was completely demolished by order of the Bishop Don Pedro de los Reyes Ríos due to its profanity in the so-called “Assassination of the Mayors”. In 1706 the construction of the current church began, and in order to have its main access facing the main plaza, it was given a new orientation which is why the church now faces the north and not the west. Above the main façade is a clock dating from the XIX century, the only public clock in the city. [source]
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The traditional Mayan dress is still worn by the locals.

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I enjoyed the opportunity to see the beautiful buildings in Valladolid, even though we never got to leave the bus. I was sitting by the side of the church and so I miss the plaza altogether, a pity really. Although I'd choose to photograph a church anytime over a plaza.

This has a ton more information about Valladolid. When you have time, it's a good read.

This is my entry for this week's MY WORLD post.

Comments

  1. wow, i didn't know there's also a Valladolid in Mexico. my mother's hometown is also called Valladolid in Negros Occidental.:p

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  2. The pastels give it even a Mediterranean feel, Maria. But yes, this is Mexico at its best, with its ancient cultures maintained.

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  3. I love how bright and vibrant the colors of the dwellings are. It makes the town look so clean and neat.

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  4. Colorful buildings... quite unique architecture.

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  5. such a beautiful town, ^0^
    i enjoyed the tour, i esp. love the faint colors of the structures and arches.

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  6. you seem to have endless list of great places. this one is my type. i like the colors and the structures.

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  7. The Mayan dress looks like a "daster" in Pinas. Some of the buildings are quite similar to some buildings here, Pinoys call it "kahon". I like the pastel colors, so cool to the eyes.

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  8. Great shots of this beautiful town. Love the pastel colours on the houses.

    My entry is here

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  9. This looks like a beautiful town. It's too bad you didn't have time to walk around a bit. But you got wonderful pictures from the bus.

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  10. You got some great shots from the bus! I really like the colourful buildings there.

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  11. the buildings are so similar to the ones in Old San Juan, PR.

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  12. Your lovely photos brought back such lovely memories of the year I lived in San Miguel de Allende and the visit I made to Chichen Itza! Such a wonderful, colorful place! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  13. A lovely, colorful town. A feast for the photographer's camera and the observer's eyes.

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  14. Great series of photos. Love the architecture and all the arches. So colorful also!

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  15. The pastel paints of the buildings are beautiful. The place looks so clean and neat! Not what I would have imagined!

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  16. laid back sounds and looks good!

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  17. Gran contraste de una aquitectura tradicional de ese lugar con el estilo barroco de la iglesia y los coches americanos transitando por sus calles.
    Esta bien¡¡¡

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  18. Esta bien, es verdad.
    I was in Merida in 1970 and in Cancun in 2010, but I've never seen this beautiful place. The name sounded familiar, however, because I've spent a lot of time looking at maps of Mexico, and also of Spain.
    Your photos are lovely, especially as you took them from a bus.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  19. That looks like a beautiful city. Great shots!

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  20. Beautiful and colorful facades. I like your captures.

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  21. A very interesting town. I love the straight lines in the first photo. That road seems to go on forever.

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  22. Gosh - what lovely shots of a picturesque town!

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  23. I like the color pallet of this town!

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  24. that looks like a fascinating place. so peaceful and calm.

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  25. mexico should pay you for your posts and pictures. :) what a beautiful, wonderful, walkable city. kainggit ang ayos nila.

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  26. what a cool little place! I love the architecture and the colors of the buildings, very appealing! Everything looks so clean and that sky is crazy cool- almost looks like a movie set. Great post!

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  27. They really ARE beautiful and colorful buildings that I cannot find in Japan!
    Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.

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  28. Incredible pictures again, I love looking at your blog, I know I am not a regular visitor, however, every time I am here, I am in pleasantly surprised about all the beautiful things you do and see.
    Thanks for sharing!!

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  29. I've crossed this city on the way to Tulum and really enjoyed seeing these streets again through your eyes. The photos are wonderful.

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  30. Great post. Considering you were shooting from the bus, it is superlative. I love the heat emanating from the place and of course the crooked doorway.

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  31. Nice colorful buildings, I enjoy all these views. The Church of San Servacio is so beautiful.

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  32. The Mayan dresses are interesting! I like the colors in the photos.

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  33. What a beautiful city, thanks so much for taking us on this trip with you and through your eyes.

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