Mexico - Chiapas

Church of San Juan Chamula

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, Mexico

Recenter Map To This Location

San Juan Chamula: The main sight in San Juan Chamula is its church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Here, in a simple white church with turquoise-colored trim, you find the pagan beliefs of the indigenous Mayan people intermingled with the Catholic faith. You step into the dimly lit church where you see families in colorful costume huddled in small groups on the floor, praying behind an assortment of candles. The church is illuminated by the soft glow of hundreds of candles. The odor of incense hangs heavy in the air. Occasionally you hear the squawk of a chicken that is being sacrificed to the gods. It is almost unbelievable to believe that such old customs still exist. The scene is real—it is in
  no way a tourist presentation. In fact, all photographs are strictly forbidden.