Tulum - a mysterious Mayan city in the Yucatan (Mexico)

Tulum is an ancient city that combines the majesty of stone walls with breathtaking views of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Tulum is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites of the Mayan culture in Mexico. It is a place where history intertwines with nature in such an extraordinary way that it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world each year.

Located on 12-meter-high limestone cliffs along the Yucatán coastline, Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya. Its strategic location and stunning architecture make it not only an important archaeological site but also a place of unparalleled character, allowing us to glimpse into the fascinating world of pre-Columbian America.

The History and Significance of Tulum in Mayan Culture

The name "Tulum" means "wall" or "palisade" in the Mayan language, perfectly reflecting the character of this place. The city was founded in the 13th century and functioned until the early 16th century, witnessing both the rise and fall of the Mayan civilization. During its heyday, it was an important trade center, specializing in the exchange of goods such as turquoise, obsidian, and jade.

Notably, Tulum was one of the few Mayan cities that survived until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors. The first Europeans to see its walls must have been awestruck—the city appeared like a fortress rising straight from the sea waves. Juan de Grijalva, a Spanish explorer who sailed along the coast in 1518, compared it to the Andalusian city of Seville.

Particularly interesting is the fact that Tulum functioned as a trade port, connecting maritime and land routes. The Maya were excellent sailors, and their canoes, made from single tree trunks, could accommodate up to 25 people and significant quantities of trade goods.

Architecture and Spatial Layout of Tulum

The most distinctive architectural feature of Tulum is its defensive system. Defensive walls surround the city on three sides, reaching heights of 3–5 meters and thicknesses of up to 8 meters. On the seaward side, steep cliffs as high as 12 meters provide natural protection. This fortification system is unique in Mayan architecture and highlights the strategic importance of the city.

Key Ceremonial Buildings

Tulum’s architecture blends characteristic features of Mayan style with elements adapted to local conditions. The city's most important structures are located within the main complex, surrounded by thick walls.

El Castillo

The most recognizable building in Tulum is El Castillo ("The Castle"), which rises 7.5 meters high atop a 12-meter cliff above sea level. This majestic structure served as both a lighthouse and a sacred site. It features wide stairs leading to the top and a terrace offering breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

El Castillo was built from limestone, a material commonly used by the Maya. Its structure is rectangular, and at the top, there is a small chamber that might have served as an observation point or a site for religious ceremonies. Its facade is adorned with masks depicting the Descending God, to whom the temple was dedicated.

Temple of the Frescoes

Another exceptional site is the Temple of the Frescoes, renowned for its well-preserved murals depicting Mayan deities and scenes of daily life. These frescoes, painted using natural pigments like ochre and indigo, were part of religious rituals. The building has two levels, and its facade is adorned with numerous reliefs depicting gods. This structure exemplifies the East Coast architectural style, characterized by distinctive cornices and stucco decorations. Its area is approximately 50 square meters.

Temple of the Descending God

One of the more mysterious buildings is the Temple of the Descending God. Its name comes from the characteristic figure depicted in its reliefs—a deity that appears to be "descending" from the heavens. This building may have been a site for ceremonies related to agriculture and fertility gods.

Architectural Innovations

The Maya of Tulum introduced several innovative architectural solutions:

• A system of low doors and narrow corridors that helped regulate airflow and maintain pleasant temperatures inside the buildings.
• The use of red pigment to decorate facades, which has proven remarkably durable and is still visible today.
• Precise placement of openings in buildings, creating spectacular light effects during equinoxes and solstices.

Daily Life and City Functioning

Tulum was a relatively small city but was exceptionally well-organized. It is estimated that during its peak, it was inhabited by about 1,500–2,000 people. The city was divided into functional zones:

The sacred zone included the main ceremonial and administrative buildings. This is where the most important temples and places of worship were located, where priests conducted religious ceremonies and astronomical observations.

The residential zone extended beyond the city walls. Ordinary residents lived in simple homes made of wood and palm leaves, the remnants of which can still be seen today thanks to archaeological work.

The port zone, with beaches and natural coves, served as a docking area for trade boats. Archaeologists have discovered remains of piers and loading areas here.

Prestigious Recognitions for Tulum

Recognition as a National Archaeological Park of Mexico (1981).

Inclusion in the elite group of "Pueblos Mágicos" (Magical Towns) by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism (2015).

Tulum in Popular Culture

Tulum has been the setting for many films, including:

• "Road to Tulum" (2023) - a documentary on the history and mysticism of the place,
• "The Last Days of the Maya" (History Channel, 2020) - a documentary featuring Tulum as one of the last Mayan cities,
• "Apocalypto" (2006) - although not directly about Tulum, it includes scenes inspired by its architecture.

Remarkable Facts

Acoustic phenomenon - clapping in front of the main pyramid generates an echo resembling the sound of the sacred Mayan bird, the quetzal.

Mysterious foundations - older structures have been discovered beneath some buildings, suggesting the city may be much older than initially thought.

Underwater artifacts - divers have found ceremonial objects in cenotes (natural wells) beneath the city, indicating previously unknown rituals.

Astronomical puzzles - during the spring and autumn equinoxes, sunlight creates an optical illusion of a "feathered serpent" on the main temple.

Forgotten tunnels - in 2018, an underground tunnel system was discovered connecting the main buildings, with its purpose still unknown.

Mystical properties - local legends speak of the site’s unique energy properties—modern shamans claim that Tulum lies at the intersection of ancient energy lines.

Paint secret - scientists still cannot accurately recreate the original blue paint used by the Maya in their decorations.

Ancient "air conditioning" - buildings were designed to use natural air currents to cool interiors—a system that still works today.

Hidden symbols - in 2020, LiDAR technology revealed previously unknown glyphs (symbols) on walls, visible only at specific angles of light.

Tsunami defense - the city's architecture was designed to withstand tsunami impacts, as confirmed by modern computer simulations.

Play of light - during a full moon, shadows cast by the buildings create a pattern resembling the Mayan calendar in the courtyard.

Ancient "GPS" - the layout of the buildings can serve as a precise indicator of world directions, accurate to within one degree.

The Maya of Tulum used an advanced system of rainwater collection, including special channels and reservoirs carved into the rock.

The city walls had only five narrow entrances, facilitating control of movement and defense.

Buildings were constructed using local limestone, which was relatively soft and easy to work with when quarried but hardened over time when exposed to air.

Temples were built on platforms, protecting them from moisture and ensuring better visibility from the sea.

Astronomical significance - like other Mayan cities, Tulum was planned with astronomical phenomena in mind. The Temple of the Descending God was designed so that during the summer solstice, the rays of the rising sun fell precisely through its main door.

Heritage and Modern Significance

Today, Tulum is not only a valuable archaeological site but also a living testament to the engineering genius of the Maya.

Archaeological research continues to yield new discoveries. Recently, an underground system of caves and cenotes (natural wells) was discovered beneath the city, shedding new light on the water system used by its inhabitants.

Conservation Challenges

The city's seaside location, while picturesque, presents several conservation challenges, such as constant exposure to salty sea air accelerating stone erosion, increasing tourist numbers requiring increasingly advanced monument protection methods, and climate change and rising sea levels posing potential threats to cliff stability.

Conclusion

Tulum remains one of the most fascinating examples of Mayan architecture. It combines defensive, religious, and commercial functions in a way that continues to amaze archaeologists and architects. Its location, urban planning, and architectural solutions testify to the high level of civilizational development of its builders.

This city not only showcases the technical and artistic capabilities of the Maya but also their deep understanding of the natural environment and ability to coexist harmoniously with it. In times when we seek sustainable architectural solutions, Tulum can serve as a valuable lesson and inspiration.