CHURCH OF THE VIRGIN OF LA CANDELARIA
The patron saint is the Blessed Virgin from La Candelaria, and every year the community surrenders tribute to the greatest festival of the town. It is called La Virgen de Las Candelas, because in one hand carries a lightened candle and in the other she holds a child; this reminds Catholics the
passage, where Mary presents Jesus in the temple to fulfill the Law of Moses.
As for its architectural characteristics, it was built of masonry, vaulted ceiling and bricked floors, it has a single alley, and in the front section there is a portal of three arches that extend to the street. On the Southern side it has a small atrium and some exterior stairs leading to the dressing room of the Virgin which is behind the altar. This image is exposed only during holidays. The art work data from the XVI century. It is located on Street 44 by 35, of La Candelaria neighborhood.
SANTA ANA CHURCH
The main feature is the belfry. This church was built in the XVI Century and, was for the exclusive use of the Indians, as most of the services, excepting mass, were performed and conducted in Maya. The patron saint is Santa Ana (mother of Holy Virgin Mary) and it is also found there the image of San Joaquin (father of the virgin). They represent the religious faith of the inhabitants, progressive and hard working people, who with their enthusiasm and dedication for work, had given their suburb an excellent image.
The construction of the temple is composed of atrium, body of the church and sacristy. The church is made of masonry, of a single structure, with smooth walls and façade; the frames of the door are made out of carving stone. The altar piece supports the niche that keeps the image of the patroness saint in the middle; on the tabernacle there is a two door niche, which remains opened, over which the images of St. Joseph and St. Peter are painted. Next to the main altar, two great statues of St. Dimas and St. Judas Tadeo stand out. And inside an ancient chest is kept and guard the funeral Ark of the Christ of love, from this temple.
Located on Street 34 between 39 and 41 of the barrio Santa Ana
CHURCH OF SAN JUAN (REFUGE OF SINNER)
The patroness of the neighborhood is the Virgen Del Refugio. The Church has two Moorish square towers that top each with a carved stone cross, the sacristy is a two story space, on the north side, and a stone staircase that leads upstairs. In front is a corridor of colonial arches with stone columns, decorated with lintels and a chapel. The side entrances have huge colonial style arches. The patron of the church is San Juan Bautista and the building dates from 1780.
This church is located on Street 40, between 47 and 49 in the barrio de San Juan.
CHURCHES
EX CONVENT OF SAN BERNARDINO DE SIENA
The name of Sisal, is a contraction of ziiz –ha Mayan, which is translated into Castilian as “cold water”. In 1552 the construction began under the supervision of Fray Hernando de Guevara, Francisco de la Torre and Fray Juan de Merida. Formerly the church was called San Francisco, as the Order of the Franciscans had built and founded the convent.
On top of the front door you can see the coat of arms from the Franciscan order, and below is engraved the year 1560, which corresponds to the date on which it was concluded, the church was blessed, and opened to serve the community. The facade has a long row of arches withthick walls of more than 50 inches width and a carved stone entrance.
In the upper niche, above the tabernacle, there is an image of Virgin of Guadalupe. Inside the church, there is still a beautiful wooden altar with arabesques artistically carved, impressive for its size and fine details. Forward lies the main altar on the right side, another small image of Santa Teresa de Jesus, and to the left Our Lady of Sorrows, with a painting on wood on the bottom that has carved the Annunciation representation and the conception of Holy Father and Virgin Mary.
In 1978, Father Andres Ruiz Lizama performing the restoration work on some altars, had them removed and found in the back several paintings of an unknown author and the reason for which these were hidden, presumably
dating from the XVI Century. The architectural complex
consists of church, chapel, Convent, courtyard and garden;
all of these buildings occupy an area of 14.121 square meters.
Located Street 49, and 50 in the barrio de Sisal.
SAN SERVACIO CHURCH
It is located on the southern side of the main square and was built by Priest Francisco Hernandez on March 24, 1545. In 1705 it was demolished by appointment of Bishop Pedro de los Rios Reyes, after the desecration of such sacred building, in the so called “Crime of Mayors.” In 1706 it was restored as we see it now, and to prevent the altar of the new church to have the same position when it was tainted, a new orientation was given to it. For this reason the church is facing the north and west, as most of the colonial temples in Yucatan, were built facing towards Rome.
On the main facade there is a coat of arms carved on stone with arabesques, a royal crown and a Franciscan cord, and in the central part of it, bears an eagle and a palm, peculiar characteristic of the churches made by the Franciscans.
Two square towers rise, on the side from the central facade; conformed of three structural bodies and on top of the main gate, there is a small booth for the clock, the only public one in the city. The building consists of temple, court and annex, with an area of 6.658 square meters.
It is located on 41 streets, between 40 and 42.
SANTA LUCIA CHURCH
In 1910, the center of this neighborhood consisted of an empty space where
bullfights were held, the feast was organized to honor the Virgin of Saint Lucia.
The facade of the church has a crest by a simple bulrush with three clear spaces on the belfry for the bells; the door frames are carved in stone with flora motives.It is estimated that the construction was at the beginning of the XVII century.
This building is located on 42nd Street, by 47 in barrio de Santa Lucia.
ESPAÑOL
