Convento de San Antonio de Padua
Convento de San Antonio de Padua
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
858 reviews
Excellent
465
Very good
284
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92
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11
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6
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BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,004 contributions
Jan 2021
Visiting the town, better say village of Izamal was supposed to be one of the highlights of our Yucatan tour. Unfortunately, we left disappointed and shocked.
San Antonio of Padua has a great importance in our family as we were married in his Church in our hometown and both our children baptized there. Therefore, we visit this saint's Churches wherever we travel and find them.
When I planned our Yucatan tour I was really excited to learn there was one here in Izamal, as I had no idea about that before. Add to that the yellow-white beauty of the city and it was put on our tour map as a highlight.
The convent is very big, with a huge rectangular courtyard right in the center of Izamal. It was built in the mid 16c when Spaniards arrived, and the stones of demolished Mayan pyramids around were used as foundations.
When we arrived the Mass was going on so it was closed.
We waited patiently more than half an hour to be finished and to enter the Church. During that time we explored entire grounds, took a photo from every angle, found the monuments of both - San Antonio and Pope John Paul and spent some time in convent's store where we bought some souvenirs for home.
My wife was first in a new formed line, and everybody knew us as we were the only tourists (non-Mexicans) there.
Finally the door opened. The priest announced in Spanish that only those for a new Mass can enter. I explained him on my poor Spanish (with help of locals from the line) that we waited 40 min and just wanted to visit for 5 min. He declined that sharply. After my trying to persuade him explaining where we are from he started yelling at me telling us to leave. I have never experienced such a behavior of Church member. It was more like a prison guard than a priest.
We were shocked, surprised and felt humiliated. Same face impressions I saw on locals from the line who didn't feel pleasant about that.
I am sorry I don't know his name to public it, but he's such a shame for the Convent.
I also feel very bad to rate my Patron saint's Church 3, but 5 is for the site and 1 for the priest, so it makes the average 3.
San Antonio of Padua has a great importance in our family as we were married in his Church in our hometown and both our children baptized there. Therefore, we visit this saint's Churches wherever we travel and find them.
When I planned our Yucatan tour I was really excited to learn there was one here in Izamal, as I had no idea about that before. Add to that the yellow-white beauty of the city and it was put on our tour map as a highlight.
The convent is very big, with a huge rectangular courtyard right in the center of Izamal. It was built in the mid 16c when Spaniards arrived, and the stones of demolished Mayan pyramids around were used as foundations.
When we arrived the Mass was going on so it was closed.
We waited patiently more than half an hour to be finished and to enter the Church. During that time we explored entire grounds, took a photo from every angle, found the monuments of both - San Antonio and Pope John Paul and spent some time in convent's store where we bought some souvenirs for home.
My wife was first in a new formed line, and everybody knew us as we were the only tourists (non-Mexicans) there.
Finally the door opened. The priest announced in Spanish that only those for a new Mass can enter. I explained him on my poor Spanish (with help of locals from the line) that we waited 40 min and just wanted to visit for 5 min. He declined that sharply. After my trying to persuade him explaining where we are from he started yelling at me telling us to leave. I have never experienced such a behavior of Church member. It was more like a prison guard than a priest.
We were shocked, surprised and felt humiliated. Same face impressions I saw on locals from the line who didn't feel pleasant about that.
I am sorry I don't know his name to public it, but he's such a shame for the Convent.
I also feel very bad to rate my Patron saint's Church 3, but 5 is for the site and 1 for the priest, so it makes the average 3.
Written February 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilles F
69 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Under construction, this former convent from around 1650 dazzles you with ocher yellow. What lovely photos to take. Inside, a flowered oxblood patio invites you to rest. The small chapel welcomes you for a moment of serenity and you will discover a quite impressive golden altar.
A small museum for 5 pesos finalizes the visit
A small museum for 5 pesos finalizes the visit
Written April 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob C
San Jose, CA2,111 contributions
Aug 2020
The Convent is a spectacular sight and the reason why most tourists come to the town of Izamal. Here are a few things you may want to know. If you come in the summer, as I did, it will be hot. I mean, hot, and humid. Beware. The convent is open to all and there is no entry fee for visiting on your own. During covid, at least when I was there, the church was closed (which was a bummer.) It's an impressive place though, with a rich history that's worth reading about as it will make your visit more enjoyable.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PPCI-BG
Bergamo, Italy124,479 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The Convent of Saint Anthony of Padua is the most famous building in Izamal due to its immense internal courtyard. The convent was built by the Franciscans in the mid-sixteenth century on the platform of a Mayan cult site which had around ten temples and stones taken from pre-existing Mayan religious sites were also used to build it. In addition to being known for its courtyard, the convent houses the church which is the sanctuary de la Virgen de Izamal. An image believed to be miraculous was lost in a fire but the large golden retable with the statue of the Madonna brought at the time by the Franciscans is the first thing you notice upon entering. Outside there is a statue of John Paul II who visited the site. Worth a stop.
Written February 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AstralTravel
Playa del Carmen, México760 contributions
Oct 2019
This is a truly unique and traditional place!
Feels like time stop and this little town remained in a few centuries back.
Convent is huge and beautiful, inside there are small chambers with images and the story when the Pope visit town.
One of the best places I have visited in all Yucatan!
Feels like time stop and this little town remained in a few centuries back.
Convent is huge and beautiful, inside there are small chambers with images and the story when the Pope visit town.
One of the best places I have visited in all Yucatan!
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AliBug
Charlotte, NC1,658 contributions
Mar 2021
This is a beautiful area. My husband and I were in town for only a couple of hours and we peeked in. The building is just so beautiful and there's a lovely sense of peace here. We also arrived when a Quinceanera was letting out and it was sweet seeing all the young ladies in their beautiful white dresses roaming around.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Estragon2001
North Bay, Canada171 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Worth a visit to see its expanse. Unfortunately the museum was close the day we visited. The small church on site is quite lovely, but the gift shop is quite musty and we noticed black mold on the walls outside in certain areas of the car
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RudySzymon
Chicago, IL1,322 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Very large courtyard surrounded by yellow painted cloisters. Unfortunately the church was closed. Monastery is on the hill and is nicely visible from center square of the town.
The rest of the town is also painted yellow.
The rest of the town is also painted yellow.
Written December 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali921
Edinburgh, UK1,539 contributions
Jan 2020
It dominates the town. Nice to walk around the buildings although there is not a great deal to see. It's more famous for the visit by Pope John Paul II when he "crowned" the statue of the Virgin. It's next to the main plaza. We enjoyed it because it was not overcrowded by other tourists.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ricardo Chaves Garita
San Ramon, Costa Rica153 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
This convent is a must-see on a trip to the city of Izamal. Beautiful architecture but I think it lacks a little maintenance. It has little tourism so you can visit comfortably and take excellent photos. Visit 100% recommended.
Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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