Maya Ruins of Uxmal

According to investigations, the first inhabitants of Uxmal arrived by 800 BC.

Uxmal acquired great importance during the Early Classic period from 200-600 BC, with several structures built displaying the typical attributes of Puuc style.

During the years 700 to 1000 AC, Uxmal was dominating politically and economically a vaste territory of the region.

As many sites, Uxmal lost its power afterwards and the inhabitants left the place, without leaving a clue behind why such a powerful and beautiful city had to be abandonned.

Importance: During the early classic periods, the city Uxmal aquired economical and political power due to intensive and complex agricultural activities. The numerous cisterns to accumulate rainwater are witness of this development.

Later, Uxmal grew in importance as trading center for obsidian and basalt, taking advantage of its central location connecting eastern and western Maya states.

The economical richness and political power of the inhabitants resulted in numerous impressive structures displaying the different styles of the periods and dispersed on a large area.

Major Structures: The central structures reveal several mystic and beautiful buildings including two pyramids, Nunnery, the Ball Game Court, Governor’s Palace, house of the Turtles and House of the Doves, as well as the impressive structure called South Temple.

The pyramid of the Magician is very unusual for Mayan buildings as it doesn't have any corners. The constructors built a completely round pyramid of overwhelming beauty.

There is a interesting legend about the construction of this unusual pyramid, located North of the Nunnery.

Legend has it a dwarf had taken power over the city by prooving his strength over the actual king.

One of the tasks he was given, was to built of a structure higher than any other actual building. The dwarf achieved this task over night with the assistance of his magician mother.