Santo Domingo Artists Market
For shoppers and those after keepsakes, it's the one truly indispensable stop in San Cristóbal for artisan works, crafts, souvenirs, and simply spellbinding works of art and tradition.
The Santo Domingo Artists Market is a vibrant market of the most representative artisan works from all over Chiapas. From embroidered textiles to works in amber, ceramic, lacquerware, and jewelry, the market is a your first choice for souvenirs from all over the region.
The market takes up much of the neighborhood around the Santo Domingo Church and the Temple of Charity (Nuestra Señora de la Caridad) and all of the Plaza de Santo Domingo. The temple itself is considered one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Chiapas. The façade has a distinctive reddish color, but inside you'll find all kinds of architectural detail and sculptural elements (bas-reliefs and high reliefs). The iconography tells the story of the Dominican Order. The church began as a hospital run by the Order of San Juan de Dios. The attached former monastery was begun in 1546. Today, the building also houses the Museum of the Highlands of Chiapas and the Textile Center of the Mayan World, with more than 2,500 textile pieces from all over the Mayan world.
Walking through the surrounding streets lets you learn more about the culture of Chiapas through the ancient artistic traditions. Many of these have been kept alive over many generations of artisans.
People arrive to the artists market after strolling the center or San Cristobal de las Casas. It's a five-minute walk south from the Old Market (Mercado Viejo) and a fascinating afternoon can be spent just checking out what's on offer. Plan to make a second visit to really get exactly what you'd thought about the first time. There's just an incredible amount to take in in just one day.
