Uxmal Ruins

South of Merida is where you will find the Uxmal Ruins (pronounced oosh mahl). This is an impressive Maya archaeological site with some fascinating structures that display ornamentation that adds to the appeal.

 
Uxmal was an important city that extended to nearby towns of Labna, Xlapak, Kabah, and Sayil. Xumal means “Thrice Built” in Mayan and is reported to have been built five times. First settled in about 600 AD and shows influence from the Mexican highlands in the architecture as seen in the serpent imagery, phallic symbols and columns. 

The fact that water was scarce in this region led to the supreme importance of Chac, the rain god also known as the sky serpent as seen in its image abundant throughout the site. The use of stucco masks protrude from facades and cornices. It seems that the site was abandoned around 900 AD, not sure why. Drought conditions may be the main reason. 

 
I have seen many ruins sites during my travels this last two and a half years. But this one is uniquely different than any of them; with its smooth sides, rounded corners and lack of stairs leading to the top portions of the main pyramid. 

I am glad that I took the time to stop by and take a look.