The main building at the Tulum ruins. Tulum, Mexico (copyright 2007 BrownPride.com)
Tulum (Muralla) - Yucatan Penisula, Mexico
Tulum (Muralla) is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba. The ruins are located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites.
One of the last cities built and inhabited by the Mayan people. Its main occupation occurred during the 15th and 16th centuries.The original name of Tulum was Zama, which tranlates to dawn, because it is located in the eastern side of the Yucatan Penisula, facing the sunrise.
When you visit the central area of the ancient city surrounded by a wall on three of its side, this could reflect the complicated social and political conditions of the time. The temples and rooms of priests and important lords were located here. The common people lived outside the fortified city and only went inside to observer ceremonies and to deal with government business.
Tulum has a rich decorated architecture with Mayan mural paintings, sculptures, and stucco reliefs that garnished the facade of the temples.
