Mexican Church Sheltered by Palm Trees

by Mark Tisdale

Title

Mexican Church Sheltered by Palm Trees

Artist

Mark Tisdale

Medium

Photograph - Photo With Retro Color Styling

Description

In more ways than one, this is a quite likely an old site of Maya worship. There has been a Catholic church on this spot in the Barrio of Santa Ana since the 1500's. The first church was built to serve the indigenous people who lived in barrio de Santa Ana at that time. As often happens, the area gentrified, though, and the poorer people that once called this home moved further out from the city's historic center.

The reason I say this may be quite an old site of Worship for the Maya who call the Yucatan home is because it's widely believed that the foundations of this church are the remnants of a Mayan Temple, pulled down by the Spanish when they colonized the area.

And some think that the unusual pyramids on the top of the 17th century church seen here may be a nod to the Maya temple that was once here. Possible? I don't know, but those pyramid topped bell towers are unusual!

I was attracted to this beautiful yellow church on my first visit to Merida. So much so that on my second visit, I had to wander over and get another afternoon shot of it bathed in the golden rays of the setting sun. I truly love how vivid it makes the colors of the church, it's sheltering palm trees and even the sky itself.

There was such a classic feel to this, like something from the pages of a travel magazine from days gone by featuring Mexico. It was that feeling that influenced the way I color-toned the image. I wanted to convey that vintage feel in my color treatment of this beautiful little Mexican church.

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April 28th, 2013

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