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UXMAL

The ancient city of Uxmal, along with those of Sayil, Kabah and Labná, was included by the UNESCO in the list of protected monuments during the 20th meeting of the Committee on World Heritage which took place early in december, 1996. 


This architectural group, representative of the Maya, was recognized as the master work of genius and human creativity, along with other important sites and structures in the world, such as the cathedral of Cologne, the Historic Center of Salzburg and the Dome of Hiroshima in the Memory of Peace.


This designation of World Heritage Site has served to attract specialists from various countries and has encouraged the Mexican government, as well as international organizations, to support the preservation and care of their wonderful ruins.

It is one of the masterpieces of prehispanic architecture in Yucatan. Its name means "constructed three times" and it is of very imposing proportions. It´s located in the Puuc, which is one of the few regions of Yucatan where agriculture thrives, as witnessed by the corn harvests there. 

According to archaeological investigations, Uxmal was one of the largest cities of the Maya world and a site of economic and politcal power over a great area. It´s most important period, between 250 and 900 A.C. was witness to important artistic, constructive and intellectual advances.

The greatest constructions of this Maya city are in the form of courtyards or quadrangles, such as Las Monjas (Nunnery), and are located along a north-south kilometer (.62 mile) long axis.

The House of the Adivino (Magician) or Enano (Duarf) looms above the entrance to the archaeological site. A monumental construction of several periods, it is about 35 meters high, and is a classic example (revealed in archaeological excavations) of how the Maya built on top of existing structures. 

According to a legend, this pyramid was built in only one night. The Quadrangle of the Monjas received its name from Spanish conquerors who saw a resemblance to a convent or believed that the chambers were used by ancient priestess. It is one of the architectural complexes most representative of the Puuc style, characterized by stone mosaics, geometric designs in finely sculpted limestone. 

The quadrangle rests on an artificial platform with the buildings raised to different levels, which seems to unite them together but avoids obstruction of ones sight. The Juego de Pelota (Ballcourt) is composed of two parallel constructions falling North-South and enclosing a playing field some 34 meters long by 10 meters wide. These buildings are distinctive of Mesoamerica, and indicate the connection of prophetic and ritual practices among the governing classes.

Another building worth seeing is the Palacio del Gobernador (Governors Palace), whose great proportions speak of the hundreds of laborers, sculptors and painters who were engaged in its construction. The palace´s frieze is a splendid example of stone mosaic work. The masks of the rain god Chaac, sculpted the length of one of these friezes, produce an extraordinary effect of movement.

The Casa de las Tortugas (House of the Turtles) is decorated with small columns and sculptures of turtles in stone, which makes one think of a temple dedicated to the cult of water. El Palomar (Dovecot) represents another rectangular grouping of buildings with 10 separate chambers on the north and 8 on the south side.

Its architecture simulates a dovecot in its cresting with an entrance that leads to an earlier acropolis. Uxmal, located 80 kilometers from Merida, offers a light and sound show every evening. Nearby are excellent hotels and services.