Viajes e Historia en EU y Latinoamérica

Uxmal is located 47 miles south of Mérida, Yucatán and approximately 100 miles southwest of Chichén Itzá. Uxmal was founded around 500 AD by Hun Uitzil Chac Tutul Xiu. The Xiu family ruled in Uxmal until the Spanish conquest in 1521 AD and then were given titles of nobility.

Uxmal means “thrice built”, an indication that the structures in the city were added onto over time. The largest building among the Uxmal ruins stands 155 feet tall (shown in the center background above) and is known as the Magician’s Pyramid or as the Pyramid of the Dwarf. The Mayan legend says that a mystical dwarf reached adulthood in one day after being hatched from an egg. He is believed to have built the pyramid in one night.

In fact, there are five structures under the pyramid. Construction began on the largest portion in 600 AD and continued until 1000 AD. The pyramid has unique features such as the rounded sides.

Many of the sculptures in Uxmal depict the god Chaac, or rain god. Unlike Chichén Itzá, which had a natural well to supply water to the city, Uxmal relied on rain water as its main source. They dug holes in the limestone to capture and store the rain water for drinking. The population of Uxmal reached 25,000 at its peak in 1000 AD.