Culture of Cozumel Island. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Cozumel island is rich in attractions from different eras. The Maya lived here, whose quite badly destroyed buildings have been restored in recent years. Now there are ten archaeological areas where active research is conducted. Alas, you cant see all of them. A part of the ruins of the Indians is closed to the public because of research, while the other is in the impenetrable jungle, where you should go only as part of an organized tour with a guide. The local landscape is very different from the usual European, and it is much easier to get lost in the jungle than to find the right way.

Be sure to visit the ruins of the temple of Ix Chel, located in the heart of the island. Alas, the building itself is badly affected by time and vegetation, but the general contours of the building can be seen quite easily. Here you can see several stone statues of the goddess. An interesting and rather mysterious place is the so-called Temple of Small Hands. The name of this place was not accidental. All the inner walls of the sanctuary are covered with numerous prints of small red palms. Some researchers suggest that here the Mayans prayed to the God of war Ah Hulneb. Many historians are inclined to think that the terrible God was the patron of all Cozumel and various ceremonies were regularly held in the temple.

You can find not only the temples of the ancient Indians on the island but also their fortifications. An example of a protective structure of the Maya is El Castillo Real (The Royal Castle) which can be found near Punta Molas Faro. This incredibly majestic building is well-preserved, so everyone can not only see the architectural structure but also climb the walls for an impressive view of the surrounding area. Here, behind the walls, there is also a well-preserved temple. This is not only a religious building. A part of the temple is a high tower, which, apparently, was used to be a patrol. At least it provides a good view of all the sea areas approaches to the island. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Quite unusual story is associated with the arch of San Gervacio which is a preserved part of some ancient structure. Pregnant Indian women came here for centuries for safe childbirth on the territory of Cozumel. This custom is connected with the worship of the goddess of life. Researchers believe that the local religious buildings were built more than a millennium ago. You can explore many Mayan artefacts found in the Island Museum, located in the capital of Cozumel, the city of San Miguel de Cozumel. In addition to all kinds of finds of the Mayan times and the first colonists, you can see a fairly large exhibition, telling about the flora and fauna of the island and its waters. Many exhibits are devoted to the modern history of the island.

You can also visit the Museum of music in the capital, which collected more than a thousand musical instruments from all over the world. There is also a small but quite interesting museum, located in the building of the old lighthouse Punta Celerain. You can admire its exhibition and climb to the top of the building and enjoy the beautiful views. Works of contemporary island artists are represented at Balam Art on Feathers gallery. Gallery Azul can be considered not only an exhibition space but a kind of a museum. Here are exhibited works of glassblowers, made in the traditional Mayan form and painted with Indian patterns.

Be sure to walk through the streets of the capital Cozumel. San Miguel de Cozumel was built in the 18th century and has not changed much since then. The main square is the centre of city life. There is an administration building not far from the square, which is a complex of buildings in the true Mexican style. It is worth visiting the Church of St. Michael - the largest of all the city churches. It is remarkable not only because of its size, but there is also a statue of the Saint, carved five centuries ago from ivory with many details. This piece of art has no analogues in North and South America.