Hopelchén

Holpechén, meaning place of the five wells, is located to the east of the state on the border with Yucatan, in the Chenes region. The Chenes were a people who warred with the Mayans for years.

Found in the municipal capital and the surrounding areas are the church of San Antonio, which contains an altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin Mary dating from the late 16th century and notable former haciendas such as San Antonio Yaxché, in the town of the same name and Dzibalchen and San Bernardo Huechil.

You cannot begin to understand Hopelchén if you have not been to the great ruins of Mayan culture that are found there. Leaving the city, Tahcok is just 1 kilometer away. An interesting gem, it was a small settlement at the time of the Classic Maya. Continuing along the route, you will find El Tabasqueño, a monument associated with astronomical sciences, where many stelae were found. Continue along to Hochob, "place where the ears of corn are kept" with its enormous mask representing the Mayan god Itzamna. As you continue, you will find the caves of Xtacumbilxuna `an, a sacred place with an area of 200 meters. After that is Xcalumkin, which is the best example of Puc style architecture in the state, its name means "very good land exposed to the sun." On the last point of the route, is Santa Rosa Xtampak, considered the largest pre-Hispanic city and the most important in the region, which had more than ten ceremonial plazas during its golden age and over 10,000 inhabitants.