Photography

Colonial Church, Yucatan State, Mexico, originally uploaded by dreadsword.

Colonial Church, Yucatan State, Mexico

As we were hunting for the fabled cenotes (water-filled sinkholes) of Cuzama, we drove through a tonne of old, small colonial towns. This one – nameless to us, but on the road between Acanceh and Cuzuma, was a standout for the giant, old church that dominated the town square, and the empty decaying hacienda ruins nearby.

This region of Mexico enjoyed a huge resource boom around the turn of the century when Sisal cultivation (a cactus-y plant that can be dried and pounded into fibers that can make textiles and other products) took off.

During the boom years, giant haciendas (ranches) were built by plantation owners – and the more pious among them apparently built churches too.

After the sisal economy collapse (when? why?) all of their works fell into disrepair.

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