The city of Labná was one of the cities that were built in the clasic period. Its flourishing period was between the 600 and 900 A.D. Labna has a well defined urban line with Sacbes that connect each other.
The Palace group is situated on a great terrace built on top of a natural elevation and approached by stairways on the east and south sides. The 67 room edifice on two levels is another architectural jewel of the Puuc Region. The principal facade of these vaulted chambers faces the south. It would appear that the building, like many other Maya constructions, was the result of a number of additions and superimpositions.
The first level contains 40 rooms, all of which on the east side are partially destroyed. The facade at this level displays Chaac masks on the upper part of the frieze, alternating with columns, frets and rosettes. Some of the entrances are flanked by groupings of three columns. Another Chaac mask, with a human head in its mouth stands out on one of the corners of the lower room. The building also has a simply decorated west annex, whose entrances face the east.
There are three groups of buildings on the second level of the Palace. The principal entryways of their facade are also adorned with masks framed with bound columns above lattice-work design.
The Labna Arch is the most interesting and famous of the constructions here. It was the entrance and exit to the city and may have had a relationship with another sacbé. Its other function was as part of a building which separated two quadrangles. It is believed to have been higher than it is now since it was crowned with three sections of roof comb of which only the spring lines remain.
The structure, a typical false Maya arch, is decorated with Chaac masks arranged near the upper corners. At the half-way level and on either side of the arch are niches resembling Maya huts with thatched roofs set above an engraved frieze of stylized serpents. Inside the niches are stucco remains of plumes painted like green and blue quetzal feathers, characteristic of the headdress used by distinguished personages.
Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Free entrance on Sunday and holidays.
Source:
Book: An excursion in the Maya city of Uxmal and the Puuc Route.
INEGI/SECTUR