About Uxmal

The geometric perfection found in the architecture of this beautiful Maya city is unique in the empire; and it is believed that during its majestic era it was the capital of the region surrounding the Puuc mountain range. It is currently located within the limits of the Yucatan municipality of Solidaridad, this important archeological center is only 78 kilometers to the south of Merida, the capital of the State of Yucatan.

According to accounts in the Maya book Chilam Balam, the first phase of the city of Uxmal was constructed around the VII century. The main constructions still standing contain monuments to the Maya gods of the rain Chaac, serpents, turtle heads and other astrological symbols of their culture.

Its most sumptuous buildings are known as Governor Palace, with an extension of 1,200 square meters and is one of the most imposing constructions of all the Maya culture; the Pirámide del Adivino (Pyramid of the Fortune-teller), with its five construction levels and 35 meters in height, stands out especially for the inscriptions of dates and data contained in the city; the Plaza de los Pájaros (Bird Plaza), Palacio del Gobernador (Governor Palace) the Great Pyramid and the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Quadrilateral of the Nuns). Also, we find a great stadium for the Ball Game and other minor buildings as the set of Casa de las Palomas (Pigeon House), Templo del Sur (Temple of the South), Plataforma de los Jaguares (Jaguar Platform), Casa de las Tortugas (House of Turtles) and Estructura del Chimez (Chimez Structure).

In each of these buildings it is possible to observe the advances and contributions of different societies that inhabited this great ceremonial center. Additionally, these great constructions stand out for their elaborate façades decorated with small polished stones set in a mosaic pattern, a unique technique in the whole Maya empire.

Another of its characteristics is the chultunes or water cisterns the Mayas used for collecting water for the city's use. And its economy was based on the agriculture they practiced on the zone's fertile soil.
 

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