Templo & Exconvento de Los Santos Reyes

Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland


The Church of the Three Wise Kings and the attached convent (on opposite sides of Calle 51 on the plaza) was built in 1563 by the Franciscans. It's believed that even then, the church and convent were separated, due to the urbanization of the city at the time; these days, a road still divides the two buildings.

The austere facade of the church comprises two distinct 'levels': one lacks any ornamentation, the other has a window surrounded by three empty niches, believed to be for icons of the Three Kings to whom the church is dedicated. On each niche are stone carvings of the sun, moon and star of the East that the Kings followed to find Jesus after his birth.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland attractions

1. Cenote Kikil

3.7 MILES

Six kilometres northwest of Tizimín, this community-run cenote comes as a lovely surprise after the grittier town. It's well run, clean, set in pretty…

2. Ek' Balam

17.32 MILES

The fascinating ruined city of Ek' Balam reached its peak in the 8th century, before being suddenly abandoned. Vegetation still covers much of the…

3. X'Canché Cenote

17.6 MILES

From the Ek’ Balam parking lot you can visit the X'Canché Cenote. From the entrance it's a 1.5km walk, or you can rent a bicycle (M$120) or pedicab (M$150…