A
quick journey through time will give you a good vision of Isla
Mujeres´ rich and long history.
The
first news about Isla Mujeres date back to 564-1516 A.D. when
it was a mayan province, Ekab, one of the four provinces or Mayan
territories that formed what is today the State of Quintana Roo.
At
that time, Isla Mujeres was not a human settlement, it was a sanctuary
to Ixchel (goddess of weaving, happiness, the moon, abundance
and medicine, among others). From March 1st to 4th, 1517, a Spanish
expedition under Francisco Fernández de Córdoba´s
leadership, discovered the island and found a sanctuary with a
representation of Ixchel and a court of women, hence the name
Isla Mujeres it was given.
By
1850, more than 250 fishermen, pirates and mayas running away
from the cruel War of Castes, established themselves in the village
of Dolores, on Isla Mujeres.
The
construction of Fermin Mundaca y Marecheaga´s Hacienda Vista
Alegre, was a milestone in the history of Isla Mujeres, since
it covered 40% of the total surface of the island, and controlled
agriculture and cattle raising.
At
the end of the nineteenth century, Isla Mujeres had a population
of 651 inhabitants in a defined urban area. The marine landscape,
with its numerous birds, sailboats and fishermen made up a beautiful
scenery.
)
)
)
)
)
)
