Editing Tulum (section)

=== Most famous buildings ===
There are three major structures of interest at the Tulum archeological site. El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God.

==== Temple of the Frescoes ====
Among the more spectacular buildings here is the Temple of the Frescoes that included a lower gallery and a smaller second story gallery. The Temple of the Frescoes was used as an observatory for tracking the movements of the sun. Niched figurines of the Maya "diving god" or Venus deity decorate the facade of the temple. This "diving god" is also depicted in the Temple of the Diving God in the central precinct of the site. Above the entrance in the western wall a stucco figure of the "diving god" is still preserved, giving the temple its name. A mural can still be seen on the eastern wall that resembles that of a style that originated in highland Mexico, called the Mixteca-Puebla style, though visitors are no longer permitted to enter.[[File:Tulum - 12.jpg|thumb|left|Temple of the Frescos]]
==== Temple of the Descending God ====
The Temple of the Descending God consists of a single room with a door to the west and a narrow staircase that was built on top of another temple that served as its base.

In the niche located at the top of the door stands a sculpture that's found throughout Tulum. He has wings, a headdress, and holds an object in his hands.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mayanpeninsula.com/tulum|title=Tulum Arqueological Site Ultimate Guide {{!}} Mayan Peninsula|work=Mayan Peninsula|access-date=2018-11-30|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== El Castillo ====
Also in the central precinct is the pyramid, which is {{convert|7.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall. The Castillo was built on a previous building that was colonnaded and had a beam and mortar roof. The lintels in the upper rooms have serpent motifs carved into them. The construction of the Castillo appears to have taken place in stages. A small shrine appears to have been used as a beacon for incoming canoes. This shrine marks a break in the barrier reef that is opposite the site. Here there is a cove and landing beach in a break in the sea cliffs that would have been perfect for trading canoes coming in. This characteristic of the site may be one of the reasons the Maya founded the city of Tulum exactly here, as Tulum later became a prominent trading port during the late [[Postclassic]].<ref name="Maya" />
[[File:DetailTulum.jpg|thumb|Detail of building at Tulum]]
[[File:OceanTulum.jpg|thumb|View of ocean from Tulum site]]