Hopelchen Attractions
From Hopelchén anyone with an interest in archaeology should make a detour south into the region noted for sites emanating from the so-called Chenes culture (ad 550-830; the name derives from the recurring "-chén" ending meaning well).
In the Late Classic period, Mayan building in the Yucatán peninsula developed into three differing though related styles - Puuc architecture in the north-west, Río Bec architecture in the south, and, north of Río Bec, the architecture of the Chenes. Although all three styles have much in common, Chenes architecture differs from Puuc in that the façades of the buildings are completely clad in stucco and rough-hewn stone. Entrances have the form of monster jaws and the corners of the buildings are decorated with masks of the prominent-nosed deity Chac. Examples of the Chenes style can be seen on archaeological sites at Dzenkabtún, El Tabasqueño and Dzibalchén (San Pedro), 20km/13mi south of Hopelchén.
In the Late Classic period, Mayan building in the Yucatán peninsula developed into three differing though related styles - Puuc architecture in the north-west, Río Bec architecture in the south, and, north of Río Bec, the architecture of the Chenes. Although all three styles have much in common, Chenes architecture differs from Puuc in that the façades of the buildings are completely clad in stucco and rough-hewn stone. Entrances have the form of monster jaws and the corners of the buildings are decorated with masks of the prominent-nosed deity Chac. Examples of the Chenes style can be seen on archaeological sites at Dzenkabtún, El Tabasqueño and Dzibalchén (San Pedro), 20km/13mi south of Hopelchén.
