Front:
THE MAYA TEMPLE-THE NUNNERY OF THE VIRGINS
ELEE
Back:
The temple is a reproduction of one of
the buildings of the Monjas, or Nunnery, at
Uxmal, Yucatan-a striking example of the
architecture of the Mayas. The Monjas is
thought to have been the nunnery of the
vestal virgins, who attended the sacred
fires in the temples of their gods, and who
were put to death if they broke their vow
of chastity. The barbaric facade of the
temple is decorated with relief carvings of
the intertwining bodies of the feathered
serpent god Kukulcan. Fantastic, grotesque
masks done in the brilliant colors that
characterize Mayan architecture, adorn the
walls.
WORLD'S FAIR, CHICAGO, WF-36
