About 92 structures were built on large pyramids laid out around plazas and courtyards. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. The center of town was dominated by town houses with their large courtyards and gardens. Approximately of retail is linked with a network of public plazas, paseos and private courtyards. The poorer majority used communal facilities built above cesspools in backyards and courtyards. The villa buildings were often independent structures linked by their enclosed courtyards. Every Palace has its own courtyards, main halls, and side-halls. Interlace consists of six storey blocks staggered in a hexagonal arrangements surrounding eight courtyards. There is also another labyrinth outside of the cathedral in its courtyards. Houses opened only to inner courtyards and smaller lanes. All four courtyards there may have originally contained ponds. Simhachalam temple resembles a fortress from outside with three outer courtyards and five gateways. The temple has nine major gopuram gateways connecting the various courtyards. Some larger houses contained two or (rarely, in exceptionally large houses) three courtyards. It is a two-storey building with two courtyards.