History of Isla Mujeres
two versions about the origin of the name Isla Mujeres:
One says that during the 15th century,
the island was a sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel, goddess
of fertility and love. According to this version, the Spaniards
gave their present name to the island when they found on
it a temple with Mayan goddess statues.
second legend maintains that the island served like refuge
for the pirates who during their excursions kidnapped women.
One of them, Ferm?n Mundaca, builds on the island a property
in which he lived with the woman he was in love with. The
ashes of that construction are a memory of those times.
Isla Mujeres has a long
and colourful history. In Mayan times, the island served
as the sanctuary for Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of fertility,
reason, medicine and the moon. The temple was located at
the South point of the island and was also use as the lighthouse.