The Xunantunich Ruins in Belize

By Kirsten Hubbard, About.com Guide

The Mayan ruins of Xunantunich are definitely among Belize's most awe-striking. Located in the country's western Cayo District, Xunantunich sits above the Mopan river, with sweeping views of the countryside and the Guatemalan border. The ruins date back to the Classical Era of Mayan architecture, between 200 and 900 AD.

The temple pictured above is El Castillo -- "the castle" -- which, at 130 feet, is the second-tallest structure in Belize (a temple at the Mayan ruins of Caracol is taller). One of Xunantunich's most arresting features is its stucco friezes, elaborate carvings like the ones on El Castillo, above.

Xunantunich means "Stone Woman" or "Maiden of the Rock" in the Mopan/Yucatec Mayan languages, referring to a red-eyed ghost woman said to climb the steps of the El Castillo temple and vanish into the rock walls.

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• The Xunantunich Ruins of Belize
• The Boat to Xunantunich
• The Xunantunich Archaeological Site
• The Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich
• Xunantunich Plaza
• The View from Xunantunich, Belize
• The Guatemalan Border
• Mayan Ball Court in Belize
• Steps to the Xunantunich Ruins

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