A visit to the Iglesia de San Juan in San Juan Chamula, in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, was a mysterious, unforgettable morning. The Tzotzil people resisted the Spanish in 1524 and later staged a famous rebellion in 1869, attacking the nearby colonial settlement of San Cristobal. Their clothes, made by hand and locally sourced, are mostly in shades of pinks and purples.
I was able to witness the Tzotzil community’s spiritual blend of Catholicism and Mayan shamanism. No cameras or photos are allowed inside the church, so no photos accompany this part of my story in this post. The smoky air was thick with incense and candles. I walked carefully around the floor of the church, carpeted in pine needles, watching small circles of people sitting on the ground around candles, eggs (symbolic to counter evil), bones, and other items, chanting prayer and some even sacrificing chickens. I felt like I had stepped into the past, witnessing ancient rituals, as I moved among a people steeped in traditions hidden from modern days.
VIsits to craftspeople and a lunch at a private home were notable stops on the way to San Cristobal.
San Cristobal de las Casas is a highland town, nestled in a valley surrounded by pine trees. The town is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture. The yellow centuries-old San Cristóbal Cathedral fronts on the Parque Central. Next to the Templo de Santo Domingo, the Los Altos Museum, in the baroque former Santo Domingo de Guzmán convent, has regional history and textile exhibits. Outside the building, a seemingly endless market captivated me, with colorful weavings and other crafts.
On the road out of town
Mexico: Mexico City, Teotehuacán, Tlahuac, Puebla, Cholula, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Crossing Oaxaca, Sumidero Canyon, San Cristobal, Chamula, Agua Azul, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Uxmal, Chichen Itzá, Playa del Carmen
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Looks like a great trip. Thanks for sharing your photos and experience. Hugs! Carol
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My pleasure, Carol. A virtual hug to you!
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Templo Santo Domingo was covered in a mesh tarp when we were there, so we really didn’t get to see it. You captured the streets and people perfectly Ruth. Maggie
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Thanks, Maggie! That’s a shame, it’s a beautiful building. I’m pleased to see that restoration is happening to some of these old buildings, though.
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Thanks a lot for sharing, once again, a really interesting post with fabulous photos🌺
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My thanks to you for reading and for your visit, Luisa! I appreciate it.
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You are so very welcome my dear Ruth!
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Your words and photos capture the town really well.
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Thanks, Neil!
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You captured the beautiful sense of hominess and the colorful culture of the city. It looks so welcoming.
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Thank you! San Cristobal was attractive and interesting, and tourist friendly. Not so San Juan Chamula.
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What a vibrant town – the buildings are extraordinary. And your description of the inside of the church was such that no pictures were even necessary.
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Thank you! These two towns were so very different. The church visit was a dark experience to remember.
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Oh, I rather wish I’d read this post before we went to Mexico as there is so much here I’d have loved to have seen! The fascinating blend of animism and Christianity in that church, the colourful architecture in San Cristobal, the ornate carvings om the Templo de Santo Domingo and that vibrant market 😀
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I have had that same thought while reading many travel bloggers’ posts, including yours!! 😉
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Lovely! San Cristobal looks like a colorful and lively town rich in history and culture. I haven’t heard of this place before, yet to be fair, I haven’t seen much of Mexico so far (despite living just a few hours away by car)! I hope to return and see more of what the country has to offer. Thanks for sharing, Ruth! 🙂
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Thanks, Rebecca! It’s in the middle of the country, so most people don’t get there. It was worth a stop.
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Wow, this sounds like a truly fantastic experience. I also love the unique and visually striking Iglesia de San Juan and those locally made dolls. There is just something alluring about the church that features whitewashed walls and a colourful, painted entrance. Thanks for sharing and Happy Easter 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks, Aiva! The town of San Cristobal was bright and colorful, but San Juan Chamula was a bit foreboding. Though the church is brightly painted, it was dark and ominous inside.
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🥰🥰🥰
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Lots of colour, craft and creativity.
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Thanks so much. It was a lovely stop. I knew nothing about it before I went!
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