To boost tourism and promote its culture, the city of Izamal will officially open previously off-limits Maya temples to the public beginning Thursday.
All signs indicate that access to these impressive structures will be free of charge.
The largest and most famous Maya structure in Izamal is the pyramid known as Kinich Kak Mo — which has been open to the public for decades.
The archaeological complexes that will open their gates include the temples of Itzamatul, Habuc, Tu’ul, and Chaltún Ha — all of which are well within city limits.
According to a recently published study, the municipality of Izamal is home to just over 170 Maya structures. They range in scale from the remains of foundations to full-blown pyramids.
Another of the ancient structures, which will now be officially open, is known as Chaltún Ha and can be found in the southwest of town.
There are, however, several other impressive structures in Izamal that are visible only from rooftops or with drones because they sit in the backyards of private homes or government buildings.
Izamal is also home to rich colonial-era architecture, including San Antonio de Padua. This open-air atrium is second in size only to Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
The move to open these archaeological remains in Izamal comes on the heels of similar efforts in Uxmal, Chichén Viejo, and Kabah, under the auspices of the federal government’s PROMESA program in conjunction with INAH.
