Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

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The greatest attraction of Tulum is the combination of majestic ruins with the stunning shades of the Caribbean Sea. This incredible Maya port city is small but impressive, located on a small cliff 15 meters above sea level, bordered by the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Among the ruins of Tulum is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya. Originally called Zama, meaning dawn or sunrise in the Maya language, it was an important crossroads for trade by land and sea. The buildings currently visible in Tulum almost entirely belong to the last pre-Spanish period of Maya occupation of the peninsula: the Late Postclassic period from 1200 to 1550 AD. However, the presence and analysis of some structures using carbon-14 clearly date to earlier periods, such as Stela 1 and Structure 59, which contain some stylistic elements of the Classic period, indicating that the settlement may have originated in the Early Classic period, between 400 and 600 AD. Little is known about the first settlers in this area; however, based on archaeological evidence from ceramics, the first settlement can be dated to around 300 AD.

City port Tulum

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

Tulum is a pre-Columbian Maya walled city that served as a major port for Cobá, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The ruins are situated on a 12-meter cliff along the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya, reaching its peak between the 13th and 15th centuries. The Maya continued to occupy Tulum for about 70 years after the Spanish began their conquest of Mexico, but by the end of the 16th century, the city was abandoned. Tulum is one of the best-preserved coastal Maya settlements.

House of the Chultún (Casa del Chultún, Structure 20)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

It functioned as the house of an important person. This is emphasized by the portico with an entrance supported by two columns, and a spacious interior room, at the center of which is a small altar or shrine. In the northern part, there is another room that was added later.

City Wall (Muralla)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The Tulum wall, of uneven height following the contours of the terrain and rectangular in shape, protected the inhabitants, also allowing control over activities within the city. Similarly, the wall divided the three hierarchies that separated society: rulers, craftsmen, and workers. Or, in other words: it separated the upper class or elite (nobility and specialists who lived inside) from the common population (workers who lived outside).

Temple of the God of the Wind (Templo del dios del Viento)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The Temple of the Wind God in Tulum is one of the most photographed buildings at the archaeological site due to its location right on the cliff descending to the turquoise-blue sea. This temple is part of the Kukulkan group, located to the north of El Castillo. The group consists of a series of small structures, among which the Temple of the Wind God stands out. Its name comes from the roundness of its base and the absence of corners, which is traditionally associated with the wind god Ehecatl, the equivalent of the wind god in central Mexico; here, it is also associated with the Maya god Kukulkan.

Watchtower (Torre de Vigilancia)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

Structures have been erected above the northwest and southwest corners of the fortress wall, with access to them provided by stairs resting on the inner wall.

Castle (El Castillo)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The castle is the main, largest, and oldest building in Tulum. Over 500 years ago, the structure was much more luxurious, as its facade, painted in bright colors, was adorned with sculptures, and there were molded masks on the corners, some of which have partially survived to this day. It is also the tallest structure; it was built on a rocky ledge 12 meters high, offering a view of the Caribbean Sea and the land. It is located in the center of the city's religious area, emphasizing its importance. The castle tower is the perfect place to observe the ocean, although its function was not so much as a watchtower but rather as a landmark for sailors—in other words, it served as a lighthouse only for friendly ships.

Original Temple (Templo de la Serie Inicial)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

On the southern side of the platform is the Original Temple, a modest one-story building consisting of two halls with a small altar on which a stele is placed.

Residential Platforms (Plataformas Habitacionales)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

Residential platforms were used by less affluent residents who built their homes from wood and other quickly deteriorating materials, but at the same time were wealthy enough to live within the city wall and have protection from flooding during rain.

Temple of the Descending God (Templo del Dios Descendente)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

Although it is an impressive building even today, more than 500 years ago it was even more beautiful, as the temple was decorated both inside and outside with numerous images of gods on frescoes. The temple has one special feature: the walls and door are not perfectly vertical but are tilted. This tilt was not caused by the passage of time; it was built that way. The temple is named after the sculpture crowning the entrance door, which depicts a winged deity with a lowered head, hanging arms, and legs bent upward in a lowered position, as if descending from the heavens.

Temple of the Frescoes.

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The Temple of Frescoes in Tulum held significant social and religious importance; its architectural elements, frescoes, decorations, sculptures, and overall appearance indicate a place of deep reverence. The name of this building is associated with the fact that in the back room of the first floor, remnants of wall paintings still remain in plaster in black, green, yellow, and mainly red colors, depicting female and male deities, intertwined snakes, offerings dedicated to the gods, flowers, fruits, and corn flower ears.

House with Columns (Casa de las columnas)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

This is the largest residential complex, also known as the "Grand Palace."

House of Halach Uinic (Casa del Halach Uinic, "True Man")

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The palace was the residence of the Halach Uinik family (Great Lord or, if translated directly from the Mayan language, the True Man).

Temple of the Sea (Templo del mar, Structure 54)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

A small building located in the southeastern part of the city, in a style typical of the eastern coast, with a facade facing the sea and a single entrance. Inside the single room, there is a small altar.

House in the Cenote (Casa del Cenote)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The house is located in the northeast corner of Tulum and was built in two separate stages on the limestone roof of a cenote, which once contained drinking water.

Northwest House (Casa Noroeste)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The northwest house was possibly a private residence for someone important because it is located inside the wall and has a large stone platform; such a location was accessible only to the wealthy and elite.

Adoratories or Miniature Temples (Adoratorios)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

Adoratories or Miniature Temples are small structures. There are many of them in Tulum, some of which are exact copies of great temples.