|
|
| ~ Left Click: Photo to Greatly Enlarge View for Details ~ |
~ The Uxmal ruins in Mexico
~
Are some of the best on
the peninsula. The name Uxmal means 'thrice-built'
in Mayan, referring to the construction of its highest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician. The
Maya would often build a new temple over an existing one, and in this case five stages of construction have actually been
found. Uxmal was one of the largest cities of the Yucatán peninsula, and at its height
was home to about 25,000 Maya.
|
|
| ~ Left Click: Photo to Greatly Enlarge for Details ~ |
~ The Pyramid of the Magician ~
Legend held that when a
certain gong was sounded, the town of Uxmal would fall to a boy "not
born of woman". One day, a dwarf boy, who had been raised from an egg by a
witch, sounded the gong and struck fear into the ruler, who ordered him to be executed. The
ruler promised that the boy’s life would be saved if he could perform three impossible tasks, one of which was to build
a giant pyramid in a single night. The boy achieved all the tasks and became the new ruler.
The Pyramid of the Magician
stands 117 feet (38 m) high. Unusually built on an elliptical base, this pyramid is the
result of five superimposed temples. Parts of the first temple can be seen when ascending
the western staircase; the second and third are accessed by the eastern staircase, in an inner chamber at the second level.
The fourth temple is clearly visible from the west side, a giant Chac mask marks the entrance
and Chac’s mouth is the door! Climb to the top of the east stairs to reach the fifth
temple and view the whole site. Legend has it that this is the pyramid the dwarf boy
raised in one night.
~ The Nunnery
Quadrangle ~
This collection of four
buildings around a quadrangle was named "Casa de las Monjas" (The Nunnery)
by the Spanish, because the 74 small rooms around the courtyard reminded them of nuns’ quarters in a Spanish convent.
Each of the four buildings has a unique ornate façade, and each is built on a different level.
The northern building is the oldest and the grandest; here you can see many typical Puuc embellishments
- Chac masks arranged one over another vertically, serpents and lattice work. The building
to the east and closest to the House of the Magician is the best preserved, with a stack of Chac masks over the central doorway
and serpents above the doorways to the left and right. The exact purpose of the group is
not known, though, given the size and importance of the site, it is thought likely to have housed visiting dignitaries or
administrative offices.
~ The Palace of the Governor ~
Regarded by many experts
as the best example of Puuc architecture in existence, the Palace of the Governor stands on an artificial raised platform
and is thought to be one of the last constructed building on the site (around 987AD). The
structure has a typical plain lower section and a richly carved upper. Amongst the depictions
are serpents, lattices and masks and also a central seated god-like figure with a long plumed head-dress.
~ House of the Turtles ~
Next to the Palace of the
Governor and on the same raised platform stands the House of the Turtles,
so called because of a frieze of turtles carved around the cornice. It was believed that
turtles suffered with man at times of drought and would also pray to Chac for rain.
~ The Great Pyramid ~
Originally nine levels high,
the Great Pyramid has been partially restored. It seems that another temple was to be superimposed
on the existing structure and some demolition had taken place before the plans were halted, leaving the pyramid in bad condition.
However, you can still see Puuc-style stonework on the façade.
~ Other Structures of Intrest, Uxmal
~
Follow the signs to more areas of interest outside the central section; the beautiful but sadly ruined
House of the Doves, the House of the Old Woman
(the adoptive mother of the dwarf in the legend of the Pyramid of the Magician), the Temple
of the Phalli and the Cemetery Group.
|
![Uxmal, Mexico [photo should be shown]](/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.virtual-travel.info/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/uxmal_site.jpg&target=tlx_new)
