The Puuc Route in Yucatan

The Puuc Route is an extraordinary itinerary road that connects five main Mayan sites: Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak and Labnà.

Most of these cities were vassals of Uxmal, and were linked together by Sacbé, white paths of piled stones that were more than a meter high to be sheltered from the vegetation and to remain passable in case of rain. Some archaeologists believe they also had an astronomical role. 

On the road, Yucatan

The Mayan-Yucatec term Puuc has acquired various connotations; it is used to designate a geographical area, an archaeological region and an architectural style, as well as a period in the history of the Mayans. That is, in essence, it has a geographical-cultural meaning.

The Puuc region shows specific and peculiar architectural and decorative elements such as the multi-storey structures, the finishing of the stones that cover the buildings, assembled like a mosaic, the insertion of columns on the facades and on the base, the complex decoration with anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and geometric motifs and the omnipresent masks of Chaac, god of rain, both in the corners and on the axes.

Puuc style, detail

Puuc style, detail

LABNA'

Labná is a relatively minor site compared to cities like Uxmal or Kabah, but it is notable for its magnificent architecture, considered among the most exquisite examples of the Puuc style. 

Labná, whose name means 'old house', is located in a small valley surrounded by hills, and judging by the quality of its buildings and their distribution, it was a relevant part of the political structure of the region in the Late Classic.

The Arch of Labná is probably the most important structure on the site. It was part of the constructions of the north square and the Sacbé, a path that connected the square with the Palace Group. Some details suggest that the arch was probably a late annex to two adjacent buildings which are now destroyed.

Labna arch

The arch has a quarter on each side and is a construction that stands out for its massiveness: its front measures 12.6m, its depth is 4m and it is approximately 5m high. 

It has two facades, the one to the southeast is adorned with frets, the one to the northwest shows panels with latticework and two niches in which there are remains of stucco sculptures that still retain traces of color. Above the niches are miniatures of Mayan houses. The decoration is in the Puuc Junquillo style. The characteristics of this building suggest more a vaulted portal than a self-supporting arch.

XLAPAK

The name Xlapak means 'old walls'. This is one of the least restored Mayan archaeological sites in the region. It has three pyramids in restoration and 14 general structures that remain as mounds.

Xlapak was one of the most densely populated areas in pre-Hispanic times, dedicated to the cultivation of the land, obtained thanks to the development of hydraulic works such as Chultunes and Aguadas, artificial water collection systems. 

Xlapak

Its main attraction is the Palace, a structure with firm symmetry and mosaic details on its facade. On the site, beautiful Chaac masks adorn the corners of the building. 

Xlapak is distinguished between the cities of the Puuc Route by the symmetry and fine decoration of the facades of the old residences. 

SAYIL

Sayil is one of the most important cities in the Puuc Region and it is distinguished by a gigantic palace on three levels while the rest of the site is still in restoration.

The geological characteristics present a difficult perspective for human life, due to the complete absence of surface water. For this reason, the Mayans built a large number of underground tanks or cisterns, known as Chultunes, in order to capture and store rainwater. 

Sayil

Sayil

Its dimensions, concentration and architectural elaboration, similar to those of Uxmal and Kabah, reflect the fact that the city had a high population index and that the degree of social organization and the levels of craftsmanship were high.

KABAH

Kabah, whose name comes from the ancient Mayan and means 'strong hand', is divided into two parts by a street: on one side there are the main entrance and the Palace of Masks and on the other the remains of the pyramids, only partially restored, and the arch.

The Grand Palace is the largest building in the city. It is estimated that it had more than thirty rooms. It is relatively well preserved, it maintains part of the cresting and the facade is decorated with columns, distributed in three sections.

The Palace of the Masks (Codz Poop) is perched on an artificial platform; the main building, and its walls are well adorned. The west facade has Chaac masks and, below them, there is a fret of interlaced serpents. In front of the masks, on the terrace that opens before the building, there is an altar that has hieroglyphics.

Codz Poop, Kabah

Kabah, detail

This highly charged decoration is considered the highest expression of the Puuc style.

The arch, which marks the beginning or end of the road, or Sacbé, that connects Kabáh with Nohpat and with Uxmal has practically no ornamentation, but its lower part was painted red.. 

UXMAL

Uxmal is one of the most important and best preserved archaeological sites in all of Mexico and in 1996 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is big, imposing, and extraordinarily beautiful; probably my favourite Maya site in the state of Yucatan.

Its name derives from Oxmal, that in the Mayan language means 'three times built'.

Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal

Nunnery Quadrangol, Uxmal

Uxmal

The archaeological site extends over an area of 12 km² and there are several buildings to visit. The most important is certainly the impressive Pyramid of the Magician, with an elliptical base and a western staircase built to face the sun during Summer solstice. It is the first building you come across upon entering and it stands out over the surrounding landscape from the height of its approximately 30 meters.

In front of the pyramid is the Nunnery Quadrangol, made up of 4 buildings and 74 rooms whose facades are rich in decoration in full Puuc style. Within the site you can also visit The pelota game field, the Governor's Palace, the House of the turtles and the Temple of the Doves.