Culture of Cozumel. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Cozumel Island has many interesting archaeological areas, many of which can be visited today as part of guided tours. Thus, impassable jungles surround the ruins of the ancient city of San Gervasio. As the researchers found out, once the island's largest sanctuary dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel was located in this place. Several statues of the goddess were discovered here during archaeological excavations. Some of the old structures have been partially restored. It is important to note that the sanctuary has remained intact and functioning until the Spaniards invaded the island. It was destroyed during the colonial period.

One of the beautiful colonial buildings houses the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, which acquaints visitors with the peculiarities of the local nature, the history of the island and traditions of its people. The museum keeps an interesting collection of natural science exhibits, as well as geological and historical artifacts. Here you can also see some unique archaeological finds that were discovered during the island's exploration. The most unusual "exhibit" of the museum is located in its courtyard, where an ancient Mayan hut was reconstructed. They tried to recreate the atmosphere typical of ancient Maya dwellings. Only genuine historical artifacts were used for equipping the house.

One of the most mystical sights on the island is the Little Hands Temple. The history of the creation of this structure remains unknown, and a huge number of mysteries are connected with its decoration and features. According to one of the versions, this temple was erected in honor of the god of war Ah Hulneb. Its main characteristic is a huge number of small handprints made with the help of paint of rich scarlet color. Researchers assume that the temple could be built by representatives of one of the local tribes, for whom the god Ah Hulneb was the main patron. Anyway, such questions as who left so many handprints on the temple walls and for what purpose they performed such a ritual remain unanswered to this day. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A very interesting historic area is El Cedral. The ruins of the most ancient Mayan settlement dating back to the 8th century were discovered here. Some of its buildings were used by the Spanish colonialists until the 19th century; there was a prison in one of the largest buildings. Today, the old structures lie in ruins, and the main value of the archaeological park is an ancient monument whose size is comparable to the size of a small house.

Since colonial times, the island has preserved several beautiful churches like San Miguel Church. The majestic church with snow-white walls has survived more than two hundred years. Fortunately, it was possible to preserve old stained glass windows and sculptural compositions in the course of numerous reconstructions. The church is still active, and solemn processions are always held here on important religious holidays. The adjacent area of the church is adorned with a beautiful tropical garden.

Fans of historical sites would probably be interested in exploring the ruins of the ancient castle Castillo Real. It was built in the colonial period to protect the coastal areas. Throughout its long history, the Spanish castle has gone through many battles. Well, only a few fragments have survived from the once magnificent castle. After the end of the colonial period, it lost its significance and gradually collapsed. The ruins of the castle can be found on a small hill offering a wonderful view of the surroundings.

One of the most interesting and beautiful architectural monuments of Cozumel is Palacio Municipal. This rich palace stands on the territory of a vast landscaped garden. Built hundreds of years ago, it has never ceased to amaze visitors with its splendor. After the last renovation, one of the government offices operates within its walls, and the surrounding garden is a popular place to relax among locals and tourists.

In addition to the state-owned ones, there are several interesting private museums on the island. A vivid example is a museum located on the grounds of The Mayan Cacao Company. This company is engaged in cocoa production so its visitors will have the opportunity to see the whole production process with their own eyes. The factory has its own theme museum containing a very diverse collection of related exhibits.