The cathedral and churches of Valladolid

Valladolid is a city of living faith, where six historic Catholic churches stand as proud witnesses to centuries of Yucatecan history, Maya heritage, and Spanish influence. Each one offers something unique – whether it’s architecture, legends, or community tradition.

Exploring them is like walking through time.

San Servacio (San Gervasio) – The heart of the city

Located right across from the main square (Francisco Cantón Park), San Servacio is Valladolid’s most iconic and photographed church. Originally built in 1543, just after the city’s founding, it was reconstructed in the 1700s after a violent event inside its walls.

The orientation of the church was changed – unusual for the time – and its façade now faces north.

Look closely at the stonework: statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul still guard the original entrance. San Servacio remains an active place of worship and a must-see landmark in the city center.

San Bernardino de Siena – A fortress of faith

In the Sisal neighborhood, this massive Franciscan complex dates back to 1552.

Designed like a medieval fortress, it was built by Friar Juan de Mérida on over 14,000 square meters of land. With three-meter-thick walls, battlements, and a vast atrium, San Bernardino is as much a fortress as it is a temple.

Inside, you’ll find serenity, but outside, don’t miss the nightly video mapping show, which projects light and history onto its walls.

Santa Lucía – Simplicity and charm

Tucked into its namesake neighborhood, Santa Lucía is more modest but full of character.

Its vaulted ceiling and arched stonework are decorated with delicate vegetal motifs, and it has a peaceful family-friendly park beside it. Built in the early 17th century, the church has an earthy charm—complete with a dirt-floor sacristy and hand-carved details.

It’s a quiet space, perfect for reflection or a short escape from Valladolid’s heat.

Candelaria – Moorish arches and festive devotion

This church, near Calle 44 and 35, is the spiritual center of the Barrio de la Candelaria, known for its vibrant Fiesta de la Virgen on February 2. The building itself is a blend of styles, with a single nave, a Moorish-style arcade, and two bell openings that give it a fortress-like appearance.

Inside, you’ll find a beautiful wooden pulpit, vaulted ceilings, and a delicate altar decorated with floral carvings and religious imagery.

San Juan de Dios – A hidden gem

Facing a small park in the Barrio de San Juan, this church features two elegant towers, each topped with pyramid-shaped pinnacles. The façade includes balustrades, arched windows, and a striking Salomonic-style altarpiece inside, along with a carved stone baptismal font.

San Juan de Dios is an architectural jewel with solid stone walls.

Santa Ana – Memory and resistance

Located in Barrio de Santa Ana, this church blends religious tradition with political history. A stained-glass window, recently added through public donations, now brightens the façade.

Across the street is a park with a monument to the Niños Héroes, and a statue commemorating Manuel Antonio Ay, a Maya leader executed there in 1847—an event that helped trigger the Caste War of Yucatán.

Santa Ana’s quiet atmosphere belies the pivotal role it played in one of the region’s most turbulent periods.

Why visit? These six churches are living museums, full of stories, art, and local identity. They form a beautiful walking circuit through Valladolid’s neighborhoods, each offering a different perspective on the city’s colonial past and vibrant present.