Uxmal is one of the great Maya sights and we were lucky to see it on a fine day with blue skies. It is located on the SW of the Yucatan Peninsula and was settled around 500 BC but reached its peak around 900-1200 AD.
Our first sight of Uxmal: The House of the Magicians.( Eastern side)
The Southern side of the Temple built at a different time.
Detail in the Nunnery Quadrangle.
Great workmanship!
Above the Quadrangle of the Birds.
Maya arch leading into the Nunnery Quadrangle.
Detail in the Nunnery Quadrangle.
The name is Spanish not Mayan!! Everything has a numerical significance such as the number of doorways. They were great with numbers, cosmology and the like.
More detail from the Nunnery.
The Feathered Serpent in stone.
We walked through the Ball Court. Unlike many others, there is no evidence of sacrifice associated with this one! The usual tradition was that the first team to put the ball through the hoop won the game and the captain then had the privilege of being sacrificed! Would put you off winning!
We went on to the Governor's Palace, another stunning building. We also had great views from the upper levels.
Another Maya Arch in the Palace. Should one side be damaged the other side remains standing.
The next was The Great Pyramid. This only has one side that has been uncovered and the rest is still buried under earth and vegetation. It gives a good idea of the site in the early 20th century.
There were great views from the top of the buildings. This is the view of the Nunnery (left) and the House of the Magicians (right) from the Governor's Palace top terrace.
Rob has a great view over the Nunnery Quadrangle.
... and to finish, Gail the Musician at our lunch stop.
Our first sight of Uxmal: The House of the Magicians.( Eastern side)
The Southern side of the Temple built at a different time.
Detail in the Nunnery Quadrangle.
Great workmanship!
Above the Quadrangle of the Birds.
Maya arch leading into the Nunnery Quadrangle.
Detail in the Nunnery Quadrangle.
The name is Spanish not Mayan!! Everything has a numerical significance such as the number of doorways. They were great with numbers, cosmology and the like.
More detail from the Nunnery.
The Feathered Serpent in stone.
We walked through the Ball Court. Unlike many others, there is no evidence of sacrifice associated with this one! The usual tradition was that the first team to put the ball through the hoop won the game and the captain then had the privilege of being sacrificed! Would put you off winning!
We went on to the Governor's Palace, another stunning building. We also had great views from the upper levels.
Another Maya Arch in the Palace. Should one side be damaged the other side remains standing.
The next was The Great Pyramid. This only has one side that has been uncovered and the rest is still buried under earth and vegetation. It gives a good idea of the site in the early 20th century.
There were great views from the top of the buildings. This is the view of the Nunnery (left) and the House of the Magicians (right) from the Governor's Palace top terrace.
Rob has a great view over the Nunnery Quadrangle.
... and to finish, Gail the Musician at our lunch stop.
2 comments:
some really interesting buildings there, I like the way they left part of the site unexcavated for now!
What an interesting place, fantastic photos of it.
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