Main Square, Stage for the Dance of the Flying Men

You don’t need much time to get to know the heart of the town. Among the red roofs you can see children playing at the site that sometimes serves as the stage for the flying man ritual and huapango dance presentations. The central gazebo is surrounded by palm trees. It’s a gathering spot for those heading to the Municipal Market or the Señor Santiago Parish Church—built by Augustinian monks in the 15th century. A century later, it would become the parish church.

In November, it becomes the stage for the now traditional Encuentro Nacional de Voladores. The National Flying Men Convention is when aerial acrobats from Papantla and Cuetzalan come to pay homage to this ancient aerial ceremony.