The city of Chichn Itz was one of the largest, most impressive, and most fascinating in the Yucatn peninsula. An unusually diverse population lent a variety of artistic and architectural styles to its construction; coupled with the sheer number of buildings at the site, visitors may easily find themselves overwhelmed. The city is just too large to explore effectively by walking at random, which will likely leave you feeling a bit lost and bewildered (not to mention hot!). This guide will help you narrow down the list and make your way through the sea of pyramids and temples to some of Chichen Itza's most amazing treasures.
Though there are seven ball courts at Chichen Itza, where the ancient Maya held their tlatchtli matches, one court in particular dwarfs them all. At the northwest corner of the city, the Great Ball Court measures over 150 meters in length, with huge audience stands and ornately carved goal hoops set high above the playing field. Though the exact rules of the games hosted here have been lost to history, the size and scale of the Great Court leads archaeologists to believe that only the most famed and skilled athletes were able to compete there " and records show that human sacrifice was a penalty suffered by at least some of the losers.
Templo de los Guerreros
Built in the form of an enormous stepped pyramid, the Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) takes its name from the rows of statues depicting fierce combatants that flank and front the structure. The Temple was actually constructed around another, earlier temple called the Temple of Chac Mool; a Chac Mool statue, featuring a reclining human with a sideways-looking head, rests atop the pyramid, and is thought to have been used as a platform for ritual sacrifices. The Temple is currently undergoing restoration, which prevents visitors from climbing its stairs, but not from appreciating its grandeur.
El Caracol
El Caracol, or "The Snail," is a round building constructed on top of a raised square platform. It takes its name from the spiral staircase located in the center of the dome. The construction of that kind of shape takes considerable skill and understanding of architectural principles and material properties; that it was built over a thousand years ago is a testament to the abilities and understanding possessed by the Maya on many levels. Not the least of their admirable traits on display at El Caracol is a now-famous interest in science and astronomy, as the shape of the building, coupled with the placement of its windows and doors (which appear designed to align with the movement certain astronomical bodies), suggests nothing so much as an observatory. If true, it would be one of the first ever constructed in the West, and one of the oldest that still exists today.
The Caves of Balanckanche
Close by the city lies the entrance to an extensive cave network. Known as the Caves of Balanckanche, the system of caverns contains a treasure trove of ancient pottery, carvings, and idols that date back many hundreds of years, spanning the entirety of the Mayan habitation of the Yucatn from the Pre-Classic era until after the Spanish conquest. The pottery and artifacts have been left exactly has they were when discovered, affording visitors an unprecedented look at an archaeological find undisturbed for millennia. Perhaps more fascinating is the size and shape of the cave system; its central limestone column and branching network of chambers is thought to represent the World Tree of Mayan mythology and folklore.
The Famous Light and Sound Show
Not everyone who visits Chichen Itza during the day realizes that it's equally as exciting at night! The same ticket that purchases park admission during daylight hours can also be used for admission to the light and sound show, which begins nightly after sunset and illuminates the great pyramid of El Castillo with colorful lights and lasers, accompanied by a stirring soundtrack. Lasting about an hour, the show is narrated in Spanish, although headsets can be obtained that provide the narration in a variety of languages.
Kukulcan's Descent
In late March, the Spring Equinox marks an especially significant period in the event calendar at Chichen Itza. A three-day festival of theater, music, and dancing celebrates the change of the seasons, and the highlight of the festival is the "Descent of Kukulcan" at the great pyramid El Castillo. During late afternoon, a peculiar phenomenon can be witnessed, where triangular shadows cast by the northwest corner of the structure seem to crawl down one face of the pyramid. The effect is eerily similar to a snake slithering down the side of the temple, and though there isn't any archaeological evidence to back up the conjecture, many suppose that the ingenious builders of the pyramid had this purpose in mind when the building was planned and constructed.
Though there are seven ball courts at Chichen Itza, where the ancient Maya held their tlatchtli matches, one court in particular dwarfs them all. At the northwest corner of the city, the Great Ball Court measures over 150 meters in length, with huge audience stands and ornately carved goal hoops set high above the playing field. Though the exact rules of the games hosted here have been lost to history, the size and scale of the Great Court leads archaeologists to believe that only the most famed and skilled athletes were able to compete there " and records show that human sacrifice was a penalty suffered by at least some of the losers.
Templo de los Guerreros
Built in the form of an enormous stepped pyramid, the Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) takes its name from the rows of statues depicting fierce combatants that flank and front the structure. The Temple was actually constructed around another, earlier temple called the Temple of Chac Mool; a Chac Mool statue, featuring a reclining human with a sideways-looking head, rests atop the pyramid, and is thought to have been used as a platform for ritual sacrifices. The Temple is currently undergoing restoration, which prevents visitors from climbing its stairs, but not from appreciating its grandeur.
El Caracol
El Caracol, or "The Snail," is a round building constructed on top of a raised square platform. It takes its name from the spiral staircase located in the center of the dome. The construction of that kind of shape takes considerable skill and understanding of architectural principles and material properties; that it was built over a thousand years ago is a testament to the abilities and understanding possessed by the Maya on many levels. Not the least of their admirable traits on display at El Caracol is a now-famous interest in science and astronomy, as the shape of the building, coupled with the placement of its windows and doors (which appear designed to align with the movement certain astronomical bodies), suggests nothing so much as an observatory. If true, it would be one of the first ever constructed in the West, and one of the oldest that still exists today.
The Caves of Balanckanche
Close by the city lies the entrance to an extensive cave network. Known as the Caves of Balanckanche, the system of caverns contains a treasure trove of ancient pottery, carvings, and idols that date back many hundreds of years, spanning the entirety of the Mayan habitation of the Yucatn from the Pre-Classic era until after the Spanish conquest. The pottery and artifacts have been left exactly has they were when discovered, affording visitors an unprecedented look at an archaeological find undisturbed for millennia. Perhaps more fascinating is the size and shape of the cave system; its central limestone column and branching network of chambers is thought to represent the World Tree of Mayan mythology and folklore.
The Famous Light and Sound Show
Not everyone who visits Chichen Itza during the day realizes that it's equally as exciting at night! The same ticket that purchases park admission during daylight hours can also be used for admission to the light and sound show, which begins nightly after sunset and illuminates the great pyramid of El Castillo with colorful lights and lasers, accompanied by a stirring soundtrack. Lasting about an hour, the show is narrated in Spanish, although headsets can be obtained that provide the narration in a variety of languages.
Kukulcan's Descent
In late March, the Spring Equinox marks an especially significant period in the event calendar at Chichen Itza. A three-day festival of theater, music, and dancing celebrates the change of the seasons, and the highlight of the festival is the "Descent of Kukulcan" at the great pyramid El Castillo. During late afternoon, a peculiar phenomenon can be witnessed, where triangular shadows cast by the northwest corner of the structure seem to crawl down one face of the pyramid. The effect is eerily similar to a snake slithering down the side of the temple, and though there isn't any archaeological evidence to back up the conjecture, many suppose that the ingenious builders of the pyramid had this purpose in mind when the building was planned and constructed.
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Do you want to travel to Mexico? Check our Mexico Travel site. In case you're looking for a way to enjoy the majestic Mayan ruins, you can see the Chichen Itza Tour .
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