Standing atop Temple II, also known as the Temple of the Masks, the panoramic view is intoxicating. Looming over 125 feet in the air, this huge temple faces another almost identical temple (Temple I) across the plaza. These massive structures are true testament to Mayan achievement. Temple II was constructed sometime after Temple I, in the middle of the 8th century AD.
It is believed that Ah Cacau, ruler from A.D.684, created Temple II to honor his wife. Unfortunately, no burial chamber has yet been found beneath it to definitively prove this theory.
Interestingly, these temples have very little space inside. The only rooms were those located at the top. The relative shortage of interior space supports the belief that these great buildings were reserved solely for religious and ceremonial use, and for only the highest nobility in the society. Another notable aspect of these temples is the incredible acoustics. It is possible to speak between the tops of the two temples without raising your voice. This may have allowed the high nobility and priests to speak to the masses far below... The prominence of the steps emphasizes the grandeur of these two temples.
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