Uxmal

Uxmal lies near Santa Elena in the Yucatán state of Mexico, about 80 km south of Mérida, in the hilly Puuc region. The city reached its height in the Late and Terminal Classic periods, roughly 600 to 1000 AD, and was an important regional capital before declining around the 10th century. Its buildings are known for fine, geometrically patterned stone veneers and for carved masks of the rain god Chaac, which appear repeatedly across the façades. The most recognisable monument is the Pyramid of the Magician, a rounded, steeply stepped temple about 35 metres high, built in several phases over earlier structures. Nearby stands the Nunnery Quadrangle, a courtyard ringed by four long buildings, so named by Spanish visitors, with elaborate latticework and serpent motifs. The Governor's Palace, set on a large platform, is considered one of the finest examples of Mesoamerican architecture, with a long façade of mosaic stonework. Other features include the Great Pyramid, the Ball Court, the House of the Turtles and the Dovecote. The site is interpreted through signage, and a small museum and the nightly sound-and-light show add context. Visitors move through the plaza and the surrounding courtyards at their own pace, and the layout is easy to follow. Excavation and restoration were carried out in the 20th century by INAH, with continuing consolidation work, and the pyramid is no longer open to climbing. The structures are generally well preserved compared with many other Maya sites. Uxmal is the main stop of the Puuc Route, which also includes Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak and Labná.