Uayma facts for kids
Uayma is a small town in the Mexican state of Yucatán. It is the main town, or "municipal seat," for the area around it, known as the municipality of Uayma. This means it's where the local government for the area is located.
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Discovering Uayma
Uayma is home to about 2,300 people. It is located right in the middle of the Yucatán Peninsula. The town is about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) northwest of a larger city called Valladolid.
Long ago, during the time when Spain ruled Mexico (called "colonial times"), Uayma was a very important stop. It was on a famous road known as El Camino Real, which connected big cities like Mérida and Valladolid. Valladolid was the third largest city in Yucatán back then.
The Historic Church of Uayma
The most famous building in Uayma is its unique church. Spanish builders created this church a long time ago. They wanted to share their culture and religion in Uayma, which was an important center for the Mayan people.
Interestingly, stones from ancient Mayan temples were used to build the church. You can still see some of these old stones on the outside walls of the church today!
A Church's Journey Through Time
In the 1800s, the church faced a difficult time. During the Caste War of Yucatán, many Mayan people, known as the Cruzob Mayas, fought against Spanish rule. They tried to remove all signs of Spanish influence from the Yucatán Peninsula. Because of this, the church in Uayma was almost completely destroyed.
Other old buildings from the colonial period, and even a railway station built more recently, can still be seen around the town. Many of these buildings are still in need of repair.
Bringing the Church Back to Life
Luckily, the special church in Uayma was fully repaired in 2005. This big project happened thanks to the hard work of Elba Villareal de Garcia Ponce and Fernando Garces Fierros. They helped through a private program called Adopte una Obra de Arte, which means "Adopt a Work of Art." The government's Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) also helped with the restoration.
See also
In Spanish: Uayma para niños
