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Coba
Coba or "waters stirred by the
wind", was built between two lakes during the Classic period
(600-900 AD). Its architectural style is closer to the style of the
Peten such as Tikal. During it's peak, Coba had almost
50,000inhabitants, and covered an enormous área of more than 80
square kilometers. Even though hundreds of structures still remain
buried beneath the jungle, archeologists believe Coba was one of the
largest Maya city in the Yucatán, and probably fuctioned as an
important link in trade between the Caribbean and the inland cities.
One of the most interesting features of Coba is the raised roads
know as sacbes (Maya for white roads) which conected the entire
Peninsula. The roads were built in straight lines, 1 to 2 meters in
height, and between 3 and 20 meters wide. They were covered with
limestone plaster and frecuently included ramps and intersections.
One road extends over 100 kilometers, starting at the base of the
main pyramid at Coba and ending at Xahuna, south of Chiche Itzá.
More than 50 sacbes have been discovered at Coba, all originating at
the central Plaza and stretching out in four general directions.
The great pyramid Nohoch Mul (large hill), 42 meters in height, is
the highest pyramid in the Yucatán. from the summit dozens of
structures covered by the jungle can be detected. The Iglesia or
Church is the second highest pyramid and grants a view of Lake
Macanox from its summit. Finally, the smaller pyramid of Conjunto
Las Pinturas is notable for the mural that once covered its walls,
of which traces can be still be seen.
The group of structures at Coba cover a large área, requering the
visitor to walk. The pathways framed by jungle, offer glimpses of
the beautiful carved stelae and the chance to see the divers species
of birds and butterflies which frequent the area.
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