San Cristobal de las Casas

Colonial flair and beautiful architectural details

In San Cristobal de las Casas, which has one of Mexico’s most beautiful urban designs, you can discover impressive religious edifices like the Cathedral or the Templo de Santo Domingo. These buildings were restored using a combination of profuse baroque-style details and local architectural elements, which perpetuate the cultural heritage of ethnic groups that live in the surrounding areas, such as the Tzotziles, Tzeltales and the Lacandons. During your stay, you’ll also see exotic collections of crafts, objects of everyday use and pre-Hispanic pieces housed in anthropological and philanthropic institutions such as the Museo Na Bolom or the Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas.

HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE

In San Cristobal de las Casas you can admire picturesque houses with red tile roofs, beautiful cobblestone streets and the notable colonial-style architecture that reflects the city's historical importance.

Catedral de San Cristobal de las Casas (Cathedral) - Located north of Plaza 31 de Marzo. Built during the 16th and 17th centuries, this church was headquarters of the Chiapas diocese. The building's exterior integrates baroque elements, while the interior houses profuse mortar ornamentations and Solomonic altarpieces. Open daily from 8:00 to 7:00.

Parque Plaza 31 de Marzo - Located in San Cristobal's downtown area, between Real de Guadalupe and General Utrilla streets. This is a main gathering place for locals and is surrounded by the city's principal civic and religious buildings. Numerous artistic and cultural activities are held in the plaza's pavilion, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century.

Templo y Ex Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzman - Located on Av. 20 de Noviembre. This is one of the city's most beautiful and emblematic buildings. The edifice has a Solomonic baroque façade; inside you'll see motifs of indigenous design. Sure to grab your attention are a pair of two-headed eagles that flank the sculpture of Santo Domingo. Open daily from 8:00 to 7:00.

T emplo del Carmen - Located on the corner of Hermanos Dominguez and Av. Miguel Hidalgo. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, this building has its original façade and arched tower intact, which was constructed in the 18th century using a mudejar-style design. Open daily from 8:00 to 7:00.

Casa de la Sirena - Located on the southern end of Plaza 31 de Marzo. This plateresque-style edifice was built in the 16th century. It is one of the city's oldest civic buildings. Among it most striking features are the lion and seahorse figures on the walls and columns, as well as a siren on one of the building's corners.

MUSEUMS

In San Cristobal de las Casas you can visit interesting museums where you'll see exhibits of regional culture and history.

Centro Cultural Museo de los Altos de Chiapas - Located in the old Convent of Santo Domingo, on Av. 20 de Noviembre. Here you'll see a series of objects and images that depict the city's relevant historical aspects. The museum also has a textile and weaving workshop founded by Tzeltal and Tzotzil indigenous people. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00.

Museo Na Bolom (Casa del Jaguar) - Located at 33 Av. Vicente Guerrero, on the corner of Calzada Frans Blom. This museum was founded by famed Danish anthropologist and philanthropist Frans Blom and his wife Gertrude Blom, who left behind a collection of archaeological pieces, crafts and regional Mayan objects. Open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.

Museo Sergio Castro e Hijos - Located at 47 Guadalupe Victoria Street. This museum has an extensive collection of objects and garments related to the textile works of the Tzotziles, Tojolabales and Lacandons. It also house old musical instruments. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00.

Source: Mexican Tourism Board - www.visitmexico.com