Case file · Witch trials
Diego de Landa's auto-da-fé at Maní
On 12 July 1562 Franciscan Diego de Landa burned Maya codices and cult images at Maní, Yucatán, after a campaign of torture against Maya accused of idolatry.
1562 CE · 20.39, -89.39 · status: official
The account
Landa wrote that the books contained 'nothing but superstition and lies of the devil'. Only four Maya codices survive. Landa was recalled to Spain for trial, but later returned as bishop, and his 'Relación de las cosas de Yucatán' became, ironically, a key to Maya writing.