Dzibilchaltun

All Mayan cities were built near or around a cenote. The Yucatan is unique in that there is almost no surface water. The ground is so porous that rainwater is soaked up and ends up in the underground water table. Caches of water a found in cenotes which are underground caves or in the case above, a collapsed cave. Cenotes provided water needs for the Mayan communities and were treated as sacred places. Today, this cenote at Dzibilchatlun serves as a swimming hole for local people.

This is the main restored building at the site. Steps lead up to the building on all four sides. This building like many other Mayan pyramids is designed with a long road or courtyard away from it. At a point on the other end of this courtyard, the Winter and Summer Solstices are marked when the sunlight passes directly through two opening in the building.

This is a close-up of the steps leading up the pyramid.

Some unrestored ruins