Description of the attraction
Tulum is a city of the ancient Maya people, built in the pre-Columbian era, and once served as a port for the city of Coba. Its ruins have survived on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Tulum, perched on a 12-meter cliff, is said to be one of the best-preserved Mayan cities along the coastline.
Previously, Tulum had a different name - Sama, which means "city of dawn". From the Yucatec language "tulúm" is translated as "fence" or "wall". This name is quite justified - the walls erected around the city protected it from the attacks of enemy tribes.
The first to tell about the city were American and English travelers in 1843 - John Lloyd Stevens and Frederick Catherwood. Later, research by scientists made it possible to determine the approximate date of the emergence of Tulum - 1200. The city existed until the first contacts with the conquistadors at the beginning of the 16th century. From that time on, the city gradually became empty and was completely abandoned by the inhabitants by the end of the 16th century.
A defensive wall, ranging from three to five meters high and up to 8 meters wide, makes Tulum one of the most defended Mayan cities. The buildings of coastal Tulum are typical of the Mayan culture. Steps lead to the buildings erected on pedestals. Large houses are usually supported by columns. Each room has one or two windows, and an altar at the back wall.
Tulum has always been protected on one side by steep cliffs going into the sea, and on the other - by a wall, the height of which reaches 3-5 meters. Its lateral parts reach 170 meters in length. This defense suggests that the city was very important to the Mayan people. In the south-west and north-west, scientists have found some buildings that were most likely used as watchtowers. Narrow passages were on the north and south sides, the third was in the west wall. At the northern wall there was a small cenote - a source of drinking water.
Another famous and interesting building of the city for tourists is the Temple of Frescoes. There are small galleries on each of the two floors. On the facades of the Temple, in niches, there are statues of the Descending God.
The city is open to tourists, it is included in the list of indispensable attractions of the popular Yutakan Peninsula among tourists.
