Gran Plaza

Coming from the entrance, a path deposits you on the northwest corner of the a huge grassy courtyard known as the Gran Plaza. To your left is the Platform of the Knives, on top of which are the much-decayed remains of several fine residences, most likely used by Edzná [1]’s elite. The platform’s name comes from a small offering of flint knives found by archaeologists in one of the structures.

To your right is the narrow end of another platform, this one called Nohoch-Ná (Big House) and extending an impressive 125 meters (410 feet) along the Gran Plaza’s western edge. Atop are bases for what were once four long halls, probably used for administrative functions like collecting tributes or mediating conflicts. High stairs run the entire length and most likely doubled as bleachers for events and ceremonies held in the Gran Plaza itself.