Kabah - Palace of the Masks

(Local Name: Templo de las Máscaras) In the southern part of the site, east of the road, lies the Palace of the Masks (Templo de las Máscaras, or codz-poop, "rolled-up mat"). The Maya name comes from the trunk-like nose of the rain-god Chac, resembling a rolled-up mat, here used as a staircase.

The Temple, 45 m (150 ft) long and 6 m (20 ft) high, stands on a low platform, the front of which is decorated with a horizontal row of stylised masks. The palace is unique in Puuc architecture in having the façade as well as the main structure covered with decoration - a feature attributed to the influence of the Chenes style. Above a richly ornamented sill is a continuous row of masks with huge trunk-like noses