Izamal, Yucatán, Mexico — The Southeast (Yucatan Peninsula)

Fray Diego de Landa

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 17, 2017

1. Fray Diego de Landa Marker

Inscription. Fray Diego de Landa
Contradictorio provincial de hierro. Fanático destructor e incansable constructor. Luz y sombra. Persiguió a los mayas como inquisidor. Como obispo los defendió de los encomenderos. Hizo el auto de fe de Maní y la “Relación de las Cosas de Yucatán.” Historiador primordial, es figura eminente en la segunda mitad del siglo XVI.
1971. Carlos Loret de Mola Mediz

English translation:
Friar Diego de Landa
Contradictory provincial, with seemingly iron views. A fanatic destroyer and tireless builder. Light and shadow. He pursued the Maya as an inquisitor. As bishop he defended them from the encomenderos. He burned Maya relics and writings in the auto-da-fé at Maní and then wrote the chronicle of Maya history, "An Account of the Things of Yucatan." A primordial historian, he is an eminent figure in the second half of the sixteenth century.
1971. - Carlos Loret de Mola Mediz

Erected 1971.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 20° 55.906′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

89° 1.114′ W. Marker is in Izamal, Yucatán. It is at the intersection of Calle 30 and Calle 33, in the median on Calle 30. The marker is at the center of a traffic circle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Izamal YU 97540, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mexican Gulf Coast,

in the Maya Heartland,

and on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Globally, it is in North America,

Mesoamerica,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

and the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also a Spanish colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ricardo López Méndez (within shouting distance of this marker); The Convent of St. Anthony of Padua (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Monsignor Crescencio Carrillo y Ancona (about 120 meters away).

Regarding Fray Diego de Landa. Diego de Landa is one of the most controversial figures in the colonial history of Mexico. Arriving in Izamal in 1549, he worked for some time as an assistant to the Guardian of the Province. In 1562 he moved to the

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 17, 2017

2. Fray Diego de Landa Marker

town of Maní where he would establish a court of the Inquisition. Here and in other towns he would infamously burn Maya relics and writings as heretical. Perhaps as a form of atonement, he later intensely studied Maya culture and knowledge. He was also well known in later years for attempts to protect the Maya from abuses committed by Spanish "encomenderos" (large landowners) that basically enslaved the Maya as agricultural workers.

Interestingly, the marker text was written by Carlos Loret de Mola Mediz (July 30, 1921, in Mérida, Yucatán – February 7, 1986, in Guerrero). He was a Mexican politician and journalist, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, and deputy, senator and Governor of Yucatán at the time of this marker’s dedication.

Fray Diego de Landa statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 17, 2017

3. Fray Diego de Landa statue

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 18, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.