Temple and Ex Convent of Santo Domingo

The quirky but lovely temple and ex-convent of Santo Domingo is in Uayma, a small town of 2500 inhabitants about 15 km. northwest of Valladolid. The church was built by the Franciscans in 1646 out of stones from nearby Mayan ruins, including Chichén Itzá; but during the Caste War (1847-1901), the rebel Mayas, in their revolt against Spanish rule, captured Uayma and burned the church.

A little background: The Caste War is one of Mexico’s longest-lasting and bloodiest rebellions. Not surprisingly, when the Spaniards settled here and began to practice cruel and unjust working conditions on the Mayas, as well as removing the access to public lands which the Mayas had used for farming, the Mayas rebelled.

The situation was made worse as the success of the henequen industry grew; and the hacienda owners continued to practice the feudal system which kept the Mayan workers in servitude to their masters.

After the Mayas burned the church of Uayma, it remained a roofless ruin until 2003, when the repair and restoration of the church began. Restoration was completed due to the efforts of Elba Villareal de García Ponce of the private program called Adopte una Obra de Arte (Adopt a Work of Art), along with Fernando Garces Fierros, of the government's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

Almost unbelievably, as the restoration process got underway, the original colors and decorations of the stamped stucco, covering both interior and exterior walls, were revealed. The amazing starbursts and rosettes, in bold and uncommon colors, give a feeling of happiness and joy, in contrast to the building’s troubled past. The building was officially reopened in November of 2004.

There are several “fiestas” in Uayma every year. On May 3, Santa Cruz is honored; and on the 15th of May there is a celebration in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the town’s patron. Uayma’s annual festival honoring Santo Domingo takes place from July 26 to August 6, with vaquerías, popular dances, bullfights, guild processions, flower bouquets, and the traditional pig head.

If you are interested in visiting Uayma, also known for its pottery and hammocks, you could easily combine it with a trip to Valladolid, also home to some very important history. The above-mentioned Caste War began there in 1847, as well as the first signs of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. There are seven churches in Valladolid, along with the impressive San Bernadino Convent, the San Roque Museum and the Government Palace, with its huge murals depicting Mexican history. Take note of the detailed stonework on the facades of many of the colonial buildings. Valladolid’s proximity to the archaeological site of Ek Balam, as well as Cenotes X'kekén and Samulá, located in Dzitnup, make it a wonderful destination for a weekend away.

Thanks to Dr. Charlotte Ekland, Latin American Studies, California State University, Chico, for the use of her photos, which appear here in our Photo Gallery. http://www.mexicanarchitecture.org