Uxmal

Mexico

Today's inhabitants of Uxmal are numerous iguanas all over the place. This one was doing its camouflaging act right across from the Governor's Palace. Uxmal, a #UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the Mayan cities which had reached a significant level of economic and political power in the ancient world. It had gained a period of decadence for reasons that still remain unknown to the modern world. Unlike other Mayan archeological sites, there is very little known of the rulers and people of Uxmal and there are not a lot of inscriptions that could tell the history of each dynasties and major events that happened in the city. Uxmal is unique among all other Mayan sites I'd visited. Most of the structural facades were carefully and precisely decorated with cut stone mosaics and circular stemmed columns. Also, the fascination and the mystery itself that surround this palatial city can all be summed up in a monument that is unique in the entire world of pre-Columbian era, i.e. the Pyramid of the Magician with rounded corners (see https://www.trover.com/d/1f2l3-uxmal-mexico). With its amazing architectural wonders, one can easily imagine its elegance and sophistication back in its heyday. See also, http://www.trover.com/d/1f1IN-uxmal-mexico. Additional interesting visitation tip: At night, discover Mayan culture and history through a narrated laser light show in the middle of the ruins. This requires a separate entrance fee, unless it is prearranged with a tour company. How to get here: Uxmal is accessible by private car or rental car, about 80 km or 1h drive from Merida. It is located south of Merida, the capital and the largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatan. Day tours can also be arranged at any hotels within Merida. #InStone