Considered one of the finest surviving examples of Puuc architecture, this ornate building was once the seat of power for the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal.
The Governor’s Palace sits atop a raised man-made platform of stone and dirt, from which it looks out over the ruins of the once splendid city of Uxmal. Spend time examining the intricate carvings of the stone façade and learn some history about a fascinating people.
Climb the wide steps up to the long front terrace and admire the intricately decorated wall. Carved entirely with detailed writing and imagery, the stone mosaic is nearly 330 feet (100 meters) long. Many of the symbols and letters refer to the planet Venus. The building itself is aligned with one of the planet’s most southerly rising points. Stand on the terrace and you can almost envision the priests and royalty who gazed toward this same horizon as they waited for auspicious dates and mysterious planetary alignment.
Walk around the three sections of the building and notice the doorways, some in unusual triangle and upward-pointing arrow shapes. The structure contains an astounding 24 rooms, in which archeologists found treasures such as painted stucco sculptures. Try to spot carvings of mythical serpents and masks of the rain god Chaak.
Take a tour to get a detailed overview of this building’s history. The palace was built in the early 10th century. Scholars think that this building was the last big work undertaken before the city’s mysterious decline, after which the creeping plants of the surrounding forest slowly hid the magnificent mosaics and freezes. It wasn’t until the 20th century that serious restoration efforts returned it to a semblance of its former self.
Listen to the birds calling and the low hum of tourist groups passing. Try to imagine how the surrounding squares and marketplaces sounded when they were full of more than 20,000 people going about their daily business.
Drive or ride a bus to Uxmal from the modern city of Mérida, which is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. Visit the Governor’s Palace and let its timeless beauty capture your imagination.
