The Templo y Exconvento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Temple and Former Convent of Saint Domingo) is one of the most visited places by both locals and tourists in the picturesque city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Marvel at an iconic symbol of Mexican colonial art and view beautiful traditional artworks and colorful weavings.
Dominican friars built this famous temple in the 16th century. Its spectacular façade is the main feature of the building and is one of the most adorned in Mexican churches. Discover the intricate details of this colonial-style construction and try to spot the many ornamental angels, saints and animals. Notice the elaborate fretwork resembling plants.
Walk inside the temple to appreciate the impressive carved oak pulpit covered with gold leaf. Browse the many valuable religious canvases and the several altarpieces, such as the baroque one dedicated to the Santísima Trinidad (Holy Trinity).
While you’re in the temple, be sure to visit the museums Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya (Textile Center of the Mayan World) and Museo de los Altos de Chiapas (the Chiapas Highlands Museum). In the textile museum, a permanent exhibition features huipiles (sleeveless tunics), including a 1,000-year-old piece made from tree bark. Look for beautiful examples of handwoven textiles from México and Central America. In the Highlands Museum learn about the Spanish conquest and the evangelization of the region and discover remarkable archaeological relics. Pay a single fee to enter both museums.
Surrounding the Templo y Exconvento de Santo Domingo is a popular craft market full of traditional artworks and colorful weavings. Sna Jolobil (the Weaver’s House, in the Mayan language Tzotzil), one of the most successful artisan cooperatives in Latin America, is in a separate building, northwest of the market. The group is formed by more than 800 weavers from 20 different communities. Their main objective is to preserve Mayan art. Find beautiful original pieces, created with ancestral weaving techniques and using natural dying methods for wool and cotton.
