The Great Palace of Sayil

The site of Sayil is located some 7km south of Kabah, and is aligned roughly along a north-south axis of ancient roads, or sacbes. The construction spans an area of about 4.5 square kilometers, and is thought to have supported as many as 10,000 ...

Sayil's Great Palace is often known as a three storied building. It could more accurately be described as a two-terraced platform, each with multiple rooms on all four sides. On top of the second level sits a long building with a row of single ...

Detailed stonework on the second-story molding of the Great Palace. (Image Credit: Jim Spadaccini, Ideum)

The Great Palace at Sayil is not symmetrical, although a central staircase bisects the south side and gives access to the second and third levels of the building. It was constructed in several stages during the Terminal Classic (ca. 800-1000), ...