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.
Templo 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.
