Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Church and market · San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
Templo de Santo Domingo y mercado de artesanías
16th-century Dominican church with a baroque façade carved in pink stone, surrounded by an indigenous craft market with textiles, embroidery and ceramics from Chiapas.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Templo de Santo Domingo y mercado de artesanías
The temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán stands north of downtown San Cristóbal de las Casas. It was built by the Dominicans beginning in 1547 and acquired its current 17th-century baroque façade of pink stone, covered with reliefs of columns, angels, foliage and the Habsburg eagle.
The interior houses gilded altarpieces and a carved wooden pulpit. Beside it, the former convent houses the Centro Cultural de Los Altos, a museum with the region's history and a collection of textiles from the Maya peoples of Chiapas.
In the atrium and the streets around the church and the neighboring temple of La Caridad the craft market gathers, with Tsotsil and Tzeltal women vendors. There you find embroidered textiles, blouses, shawls, mantles, wool dolls and ceramics from various villages, each with its own patterns and colors.
The church remains in use, with regular masses.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 to 2 hours.
Best time
In the morning, when the market is being set up and there are fewer people. Check the museum hours beforehand.
How to get there
It is about four blocks north of San Cristóbal's main square, along the Andador de Santo Domingo. It's within walking distance.
Tip
Visit the museum in the former convent to learn about the textiles of each village before buying at the market.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Templo de Santo Domingo y mercado de artesanías
What is in the Santo Domingo market?
Fabrics, embroidery, blouses, blankets and pottery from various Maya villages of Chiapas.
From what period is the Santo Domingo façade?
Baroque, 17th century, in pink stone.
What is the Los Altos Cultural Center?
A museum in the former convent, with the region's history and a collection of Maya textiles.