Architecture of illusion
The town of Homún lies 57 km (35 miles) from Merida, in the south-central part of the state, within a region famous for its many natural attractions known as the Ring of Cenotes.
In pre-Hispanic times it formed part of the Hocabail-Humún lordship. As of the 16th century it was established as an indigneous village and granted as an encomienda to various conquistadors and their descendants.
The traditional festivities in the town are held in honor of St. Bonaventure, to whom the old Franciscan monastery in the town center is dedicated.
The monastery complex houses interesting examples of mural painting, possibly from the 17th and 18th centuries. Particularly important are the frescoes that frame one of the entrances to the cloisters, recreating the architecture of a Renaissance portal. They depict two columns on Classical pedestals, around which wind phylacteries in the form of ribbons which may have once born inscriptions.
At the top is a semi-circular pediment within which we can make out a figure wearing Roman attire, holding a book and a palm leaf – undoubtedly a portrait of one of the early Christian martyrs. The urban landscape of buildings with towers, domes and crenellated walls that serves as a backdrop to the saint is unique in Yucatan.
The presbytery of the church is decorated with paintings that imitate a great set of curtains and a reredos which contains a central niche carved out of the thickness of the wall. Two pairs of painted Corinthian columns support a semi-circular pediment containing a depiction of the Holy Trinity.
At the sides, the composition is completed by the figures of two angels in prayer, standing on pedestals. These treasures of sacred art can normally be seen during the opening times of the parish church.
Location