Timeless (Uxmal, Lost Cenotes)

The ancient Maya civilization consisted of hundreds of small kingdoms. Despite the common cultural component (language, writing, religion), even neighboring cities could be very different from each other. Although neighboring they seem only to us, living in times when distances of hundreds and thousands of kilometers are overcome in a matter of hours. But without the use of such a fundamental device as the wheel, these distances “increase” tenfold. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that, crossing the invisible border of these ancient states, we find ourselves in new cities, built and decorated differently, in accordance with the aesthetic preferences of the people reigning here.

The rulers of Uxmal had a high artistic taste, which could not but affect the appearance of the city. Clear layout of large and small patios; multi-level platforms; rounded majestic pyramids, decorated with many interesting details, each of which matters. No wonder Uxmal is recognized by UNESCO as one of the best examples of Mayan decorative art. Even after hundreds of years since Uxmal was abandoned, it has not lost its integrity. The feeling of a real city arises immediately at the entrance, when looking at the correct shape of the courtyard, at the rooms in which, in some places, even the cornices from the doors are preserved. And involuntarily before the eyes appear pictures of the life of the city. On this simple square, bright ceremonies took place, where hundreds of representatives of the nobility, priests and wars gathered. In the neighborhood held the oldest ritual of playing ball.

In these rooms, officials collected and counted tributes, and in this palace lived a ruler who imagined himself above his ancestors. But here was the daily life of the representatives of the royal family, which is reminiscent of the rooms for rest in the midday heat, as well as a small “personal” temple for everyday ceremonies. And, having climbed one of the pyramids, you can briefly imagine yourself as a ruler, inspecting the territories belonging to him. Thus, a walk through this city turns into a small trip to the pre-colonial era. Continue such a journey in time will allow not quite an ordinary walk to the karst lakes (cenotes). A small trolley, drawn by a vehicle of one horsepower, will be lucky to the cenotes by narrow-gauge railway, which has been preserved here since the beginning of the XX century, when this territory belonged to one of the “green” millionaires and was completely planted with an enneken cactus.

Crystal clear water; underground vaults, naturally decorated with thousands of stalactites; the roots of trees that passed through the stones in search of moisture – here the sense of time disappears!

Forget about time for one day!