Uxmal

The Mayan Town of Uxmal, in Yucatán, was founded circa A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between A.D. 700 and 1000, reveals knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer or Magician, as the Spanish called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain. The ceremonial sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil are considered the high points of Mayan art and the Puuc architecture style. Uxmal is located only 70 km from Merida. What makes this site notable is the parallel piped shape of the buildings, of which the most outstanding are the Pirámide del Adivino (The Soothsayer's Pyramid), El Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (The Nun's Quadrangle) and the Palacio del Gobernador (Government Palace).