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Izamal was an important site of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It was sacred to the creator deity Itzamna and to the Sun God Kinich Ahau. Izamal was a site of pilgrimage in the region rivaled only by Chichen Itza.

Two huge Pre-Columbian structures are still easily visible at Izamal (and from some distance away in all directions). The first is a great pyramid to the Maya Sun God, Kinch Kak Mo, with a base covering over 2 acres (8,000 m²) of ground and a volume of some 700,000 cubic meters. Atop this grand base is a pyramid of 10 levels. (A great stucco mask still existed on one side as recently as the 1840s, and a drawing of it by Frederick Catherwood was published by John Lloyd Stephens.) The second structure is the so called "acropolis", known anciently as Popol Chac, a large man-made mound probably built up over several centuries and originally supporting city palaces and temples. After the Spanish conquest of Yucatán in the 16th century15th century 16th century 17th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. Events Beginning of the " Little Ice Age" a cooling period that resulted in lower crop yi a Spanish colonial city was founded atop the existing Maya one, however it was decided that it would take a prohibitively large amount of work to level these two huge structures and so the Spanish contented themselves with placing a small ChristianChristian cross and its many variations are widely recognized as an ancient Christian symbol. Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament. Although Christians generally chara temple atop the great pyramid and building a large FranciscanFranciscans is the common name used to designate a variety of mendicant religious orders of men or women tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi and following the Rule of St. The official Latin name is the Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Order of the "Lesser Brot Monastery atop the acropolis. It was named after San Antonio de PaduaSaint Anthony of Padua venerated in Portugal as Anthony of Lisbon ( 1195 June 13, 1231) is a Catholic saint born in Lisbon as Fernando de Bulhoes, to a wealthy family. Life He received in baptism the name of Fernando. He became a Franciscan in 1221 taking. Completed in 1561Events The Edict of Orleans suspends the persecution of the Huguenots Mary, Queen of Scots is denied passage through England after returning from France. She arrives at Leith, Scotland on August 19. The first Calvinists settle in England after fleeing Fla, the atrium of the Monastery was second in size only to that at the VaticanVatican may refer to: Holy See Roman Curia Vatican City Vatican Hill Vatican Palace Vatican Library.. Much of the cut stone from the Pre-Columbian city was reused to build the Spanish churches, monastery, and surrounding buildings.

Izamal remains a place of pilgrimage within Yucatán, now for the veneration of Roman Catholic saintIn general, the term saint is used to refer to someone thought to be especially virtuous and holy. This person may or may not be canonized, recognized or venerated by a religion. The word "saint" comes from the Latin word sanctus which means "holy. Various. Several saints statues at Izamal are said to perform miracles. An early colonial era statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is particularly venerated, and is the city's patron saint.