Sisal Hacienda, Yucatan
In the last 80 years, the grand houses of the Yucatan fell into dilapidation, trees took
root in the foundations, machinery was cannibalized, flagstones and walls
were quarried for local houses. Hacienda
Yaxcopoil is one of a few well-preserved sisal estates.
This one stopped production in
1984 and at
its peak consisted of 22,000 acres.
Haciendas consist of four elements: 1) the big house, 2) sisal factory, 3)
houses for the workers, and 4) the surrounding fields of cactus connected by
narrow-gauge railroads.
Can you identify these elements on this cadastral
map? Then,
tour the patron's house,
factory, Mayan village, and
Merida's historic wealthy district. 