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| Tulum (Yucatec: is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Cobá. The ruins are located on 12-meter (39 ft) cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tulum was at its height between the 13th-15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have been the cause of its demise. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites. Main temple at Tulum has architecture typical of Maya sites on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This architecture is recognized by a step running around the base of the building which sits on a low substructure. Doorways of this type are usually narrow with columns used as support if the building is big enough. As the walls flare out there are usually two sets of molding near the top. The room usually contains one or two small windows with an altar at the back wall, roofed by either a beam-and-rubble ceiling or being vaulted. This type of architecture resembles that done at the nearby Chichen Itza, just on a much smaller scale. Tulum was protected on one side by steep sea cliffs and on the landward side by a wall that averaged about three to 5 meters (16 ft) in height. The wall also was about 8 m (26 ft) thick and 400 m (1,300 ft) long on the side parallel to the sea. The part of the wall that ran the width of the site was slightly shorter and only about 170 meters (560 ft) on both sides. This massive wall would have taken an enormous amount of energy and time, which shows how important defense was to the Maya when they constructed the site here. On the southwest and northwest corners there are small structures that have been identified as watch towers, showing again how well defended the city would have been. There are five narrow gateways in the wall with two each on the north and south sides and one on the west. Near the northern side of the wall a small cenote would have provided the city with fresh water. It is this impressive wall that makes Tulum one the most well-known fortified sites of the Maya. [Wiki] |
11 comments:
I definitely need to get myself down your way. Fabulous photos.
Beautiful
work
thank you for sharing
Un sueno de imagenes Carraol!
Te han quedado preciosas las imagenes. Que bonito es Tulum ;D
I like all of these, esp the Mayan ruins as well as the history you provide. I've been to Chichen Itza and was mightily impressed (didn't climb the pyramid altho I was tempted...heard it's been closed to climbers because of an accident...is that correct?) I particularly like the upclose photo of the iguana and the beach scene. I know I've mentioned this before, but I love your zen quote; it always reminds me to appreciate the commonplace!
I love this series! Would love to visit these places one day!
This place is amazing, full of history and greta views.
And the lizard, well, you know I love animals!
Have a good new week Carraol!
Very impressive your series !
And very beautiful !
My favorites are the n° 1 and 6, Gorgeous colors and text very interesting :))
Bye**
wonderfull photos supported with good story abouth it,i want come :)))
What a magnificent lizard!
Great series of pictures :)
Un abrazo
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