"Built three times." This is how the name of this once flourishing Mayan city in the northwest of the Yucatan Peninsula is translated. Today, it is surrounded by a tropical forest, which has long and carefully kept its secrets.
Uxmal is a large pre-Columbian city of a vanished civilization. It is unknown when the city appeared on the Puuk hills. It is believed to have been founded sometime between 700 and 1100, although Mayan sources point to 500.
During its heyday, up to 25,000 people lived in Uxmal. It was one of the main political and cultural centers of the ancient Maya in Yucatan. As noted by archaeologists, in the 13th century. in the building of the city there was a change in the architectural style. What this is connected with is impossible to find out.
The exact chronology of events in different sources is presented in different ways. Perhaps at the beginning of the 13th century. Uxmal was defeated by the Mayapan troops, and in the middle of the 15th century. he fell into decay altogether. When Europeans arrived here in the 16th century, people still lived in the city, but soon they also left their homes … The last ruler presented the city with the famous "Palace of the rulers".
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Located on an artificial terrace, it reaches 200 meters in length, 170 in width and 12 meters in height. The wall divides the rectangular building of the palace into two large rooms, which are adjoined by smaller rooms. The area of the palace is 700 sq. m. 20,000 stone mosaics and rich sculptural decoration made the palace one of the most beautiful buildings in Uxmal.
The ruins of other structures are no less famous. The truncated pyramid with rounded corners is the famous "Temple of the Wizard". It is also called the "House of the Dwarf": according to legend, a dwarf, the son of a powerful sorceress, built a 30-meter pyramid.
Next to the "Temple of the Magician" there is another architectural landmark of Uxmal - the "Convent". In fact, the Europeans christened this complex of 4 buildings a monastery, having seen the arrangement of buildings similar to the Spanish holy cloisters - 74 rooms facing inside a rectangular courtyard.
What happened here during the Maya remains a mystery … And the locals believe that the first night spent in the ancient city can open the future for the traveler. Indeed, in a dream, a wizard will certainly appear to him …
