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Ruins of Uxmal is one of the most important tourist attractions in and around Merida. Like Chichen Itza, it receives a huge footfall everyday and visitors throng the site to witness several mystic and beautiful buildings that include two great pyramids. Uxmal is a large ruined city of the civilization of the Mayas in Yucatan, Mexico.
Uxmal is Pre-Columbian city that had its first inhabitant around 800 BC. Uxmal which is in ruins today gathered great significance between the 6th century and 2nd Century BC. Several structures were constructed in typical Puuc Style. It began to dominate the political scene from 7th Century AD and became a large territory with great economic significance. However its rapid decline in power and importance remains a mystery.
In Mayan "Uxmal' means 'thrice built'. It refers to the highest constructions there which is the Pyramid of the magician. It was one of the largest cities with a population of about 25,000.
Tourists visiting the ruins of Uxmal will be flabbergasted by the ruins of the Puuc architecture which had a plain lower section with the upper richly decorated. One of the significant structures among the ruins of Uxmal is the Pyramid of the Magician., which is 117 feet high. Built on an elliptical base, it is the product of five superimposed temples. Taking the stairs from the western side, parts of the first temple can be seen. The second and the third are reached out from the eastern side. The fourth is visible from the western side. To the top of the eastern stairs is fifth temple which according to legends was raised by the dwarf boy in one night to save being executed by the king.
There is another important building known as the Nunnery Quadrangle. It is a collection of four buildings. It was named as Cas de las Monjas by the Spanish because of the 74 small rooms around the courtyard which the similar the nunneries. The building is a fine specimen of Spanish architecture and is indicative of the Spanish hold over the region.
One of the finest specimens of the Puuc architecture is the palace of the Governor which is built upon an artificial raised platform and is believed to be constructed around 987 AD. Depiction in the building includes serpents, lattices and masks and great figure with long plumed head dress.
In order to enjoy the sights at the ruins of Uxmal, the best time is to visit at night and be a witness to the Light and Sound Show that is held daily. It is open to visitors all days and free passage to the ruin sites is allowed on Sundays. An overnight stay at the Ruins of Uxmal can be an enjoyable one and the site can be driven to for the Caribbean coast in just 6 hours.
For more details on Ruins of Uxmal, browse through Travel.MapsofWorld.com.
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