Located in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Chichen Itza is the pinnacle of Mayan culture and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.Chichen Itza, possibly built between 1050 and 1300 CE by the people of the Mayan civilization, became one of the new seven wonders of the world and an enormously important archaeological site in Mexico, as well as a significant historical testament of the Mayan ruins. The word ‘Chichén Itzá’ means ‘at the mouth of the well’, while Itza is the Mayan tribe that had settled there at the time.The ancient Maya civilization was a part of the pre-Hispanic city in the Yucatan peninsula, and the skills of the people of the Mayan city and the colonial Mayan sources made possible the construction of such a huge monument with intricate architectural styles. The Mayan ruins that remain in Chichen Itza are all stunning buildings, like El Castillo (The Castle), the Great Ball Court, the High Priest’s Temple, and the Colonnade alongside the Temple of the Warriors, including the Sacred Cenote of the Mayan people, which all have their share of interesting trivia.Where is Chichen Itza located?Chichen Itza is located in the northern part of the south-central state of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.In pre-Columbian times, the Chichen Itza occupied a large area in the northern Maya lowlands and the people gradually built the structures over a long period of time, which has now become one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. The Chichen Itza, built several years ago, still stands strong, enriched with the historical meanings of Mexico and the pre-Columbian times that we now know only because of Chichen Itza.Chichen Itza began to be built in the colonial town of the Mayan race and has now evolved to be one of the archaeological sites that are of great historical importance. From the Puuc architectural style to the remains found there, all of it reveals a lot about the culture and way of life of the Mayan people.It is very interesting to note that the pyramid structures of this archaeological site tell us that pyramids were not only a part of the Egyptian culture but also of the pre-Columbian culture. The Chichen Itza pyramid structure thus gives Mexico and its history credit for coming up with a pyramidical structure that is completely their own handiwork.The most prominent building in Chichen Itza is El Castillo, or the Temple of the Kukulcan. The pyramid has 91 stairs on each of the four sides and rises to a height of 79 ft (24.08 m), dedicated to a very important deity in the Mesoamerican religion. The total number of steps equals 365 steps, along with the top platform of the pyramind. It occupies a substantial portion of the archaeological site.What is inside the Chichen Itza pyramid?While there is nothing of much interest inside the pyramid of El Castillo at Chichen Itza except earth and debris, the major focal point of this pyramid lies outside. The inside simply remains an archaeological zone still being dug.The important structures of El Castillo are the four pairs of 91 stairs on each side that constitute 364 steps, and when combined with the last step on the top, they mark the entire number of days in a year. The symbol of Kukulcan was that of a feathered serpent, and the monument was built in such a fashion that during the spring (March 20) and autumn (September 23) equinoxes, the sun’s rays fall in such a way that they cast shadows on the building so that it looks like a snake slithering down the steps.Within the pyramid structure, there are nine platforms, and upon unearthing, it was revealed that the El Castillo actually sits atop another temple built just as old as the pyramid. It was a red-colored jaguar throne that was decorated with jade, a green-colored mineral that is still used for the creation of jewelry and ornaments. Combining such spectacular elements, El Castillo thus remains of central importance in the city of Chichen Itza.From the murals to the paintings, there are often a few violent depictions, and it could be due to the faith and belief held by the Mesoamerican civilizations then.When touring Chichen Itza, there is a lot to know about the larger structures and smaller-scale residential architecture. They are all open to tourists except some; the former was created to honor deities, spirits, warriors, and noblemen, while the latter was created for the common people of Chichen Itza, which has now become important historical evidence of pre-Columbian culture and lays the groundwork for understanding the Mesoamerican traditions better.Facts About Chichen ItzaBesides being one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world, there are several interesting facts about Chichen Itza.The ball court found in Chichen Itza is about 545 ft (166.12 m) long and 223 ft (67.97 m) wide, making it the biggest court in America. The court was used for playing a game called ’tlachtli’, and there is also a temple of jaguars at one end of the court that depicts beautiful murals of warriors. The court is surrounded by six reliefs that run along its walls and are also full of sculptures.Besides the El Castillo, there is also a smaller pyramid in Chichen Itza called the Osario Pyramid, which also has stairs on all four sides. Once you reach its top, there is an entrance to a natural cave that is 39 ft (11.89 m) below. Based on the remains found after archaeological experiments and findings, evidence showed it was a temple dedicated to the priests and consequently came to be known as the High Priest’s Temple or the High Priest’s Grave.The Temple of the Warriors is also a great attraction you can opt for. It is 131 ft (39.93 m) wide, consists of four platforms, and is decorated on its south and west by 200 round and square columns. As the name suggests, it was constructed as a tribute to the warriors of the Mayan age and is a great survivor of the Mayan ruins. Adjoining this is the Colonnade, a sculpture containing a 1000 columns. Back in the day, this marvelous creation would have been the marketplace for the Mayan people, and it is also known as El Mercado.Another exciting feature noticed in the Chichen Itza is its steam chamber or sweat baths, which were used for spiritual purgation and inducing visions, besides their obvious necessity for bathing and staying clean. The heated stones were used to generate the steam used in the bath.Also, as the name Chichen Itza suggests, cenotes, which are nature’s own water reservoirs, were the primary source of water for the Mayan civilization. There are four cenotes in Chichen Itza, and swimming in the open-top Ik Kil Cenote in Chichen Itza is truly an experience of a lifetime.Chichen Itza TourOn your first tour to Chichen Itza, Mexico, it is a must to visit all the great spots the city has to offer and learn all about the history of one of the seven wonders of the world.Suppose you’re planning to undertake the Chichen Itza tour. In that case, you can resort to the Riviera Maya, which is the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula and has several arrangements for tourists. The Riviera Maya itself, with its Caribbean waters, is a stunning attraction in Mexico.During the tour of Chichen Itza, the tour guide informs people of the significance of each monument and what special meaning they hold. The great tour comprises every monument that is open to the public, and you get to see breathtaking examples of Mayan ruins at this archaeological site.Among all the fun activities that you can do are swimming in the cenote, visiting El Castillo, the ball court, and the Red House Chichanchob, which had paintings of the ballplayers. You can also tour the Temple of Warriors, the El Caracol, where the Mayans observed astronomical things and heavenly bodies, and explore the Balankanche cave, a platform dedicated to the Mayan god of rain, Chaac.You can also stop by the Osario pyramids and the monument dedicated to the Mayan gods (known as Bacah) called La Iglesia. All are sights to behold. Besides these top attractions in Chichen Itza, you can also visit other sites, try fun activities, and taste authentic food. So a trip to the great Chichen Itza would be a truly valuable experience for both your child and you.
Located in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Chichen Itza is the pinnacle of Mayan culture and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
