Tulum - an ancient Mayan city, built in the pre-Columbian era, which once served as a port for the city of Coba. Its ruins are preserved on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Tulum, towering 12-meter cliff, as one of the best preserved Mayan cities located along the coastline.

Earlier Tulum wore another name - itself, which means "City of Dawn". With the Yucatec language «tulúm» translates as "fence" or "wall". The name of these things is quite justified - walls erected around the city defended him against attacks by hostile tribes.

The first of the city told American and British travelers in 1843 - John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Ketervud. Later studies allowed the scientists to determine the approximate date of the Tulum - 1200. City lasted until the first contacts with the conquistadors in the early XVI century. Since then, the city gradually emptied and has been completely abandoned the residents by the end of the XVI century.

Defensive wall, in height from three to five meters and a width of up to 8 meters, making Tulum one of the most secure cities of the Maya. Buildings are typical of coastal Tulum Mayan culture. For buildings erected on pedestals, are steps. Large houses are usually supported by columns. In each of the rooms - one or two windows, and the rear wall - altar.

Tulum was always protected on one side by steep cliffs, stretching into the sea, and on the other - the wall, which reaches a height of 3-5 meters. Side parts reach 170 meters in length. This defense says that the city was very important for the Mayan people. In the south-west and north-west, scientists have found some construction that is likely used as a guard tower. Narrow passages were from the north and south side, and the third - in the west wall. On the north side was a small cenote - a source of drinking water.

Another famous and interesting tourist city considered building the Temple frescoes. Here, each of the two floors are small galleries. On the facade of the temple statues in the niches are "God descends."

The town is open for tourists, it is included in a list of indispensable popular tourist attractions of the peninsula Yutakan.