Chichen Itza is one of the most famous Mayan cities, and for good reason. For many hundreds of years after its founding around 600 AD, it was an epicenter of Mayan culture, religion, and power. During its peak period, the city supported an unusually diverse population, which in part accounts for the myriad architectural styles drawn upon to construct the large number of ancient structures still visible within its boundaries. Building this city was truly an enormous undertaking, especially for a pre-modern culture; today, just the task of viewing their creation is so overwhelming that a map and compass are essential tools. This guide will help you get a bead on some of the most visually and historically magnificent buildings at Chichen Itza, so that you can more effectively plan an excursion that will leave you awe-struck and breathless at the skill and creativity of the city's inhabitants " and not just because you've been walking in circles all day!
There are seven ball courts within the city, but the most famous (and largest) by far is the Great Ball Court, which hosted games of tlatchtli, the famous Mesoamerican Ball Sport. Over 150 meters long, it occupies a huge swath in the northeast corner of the city, with massive spectator stands and intricately decorated goal hoops placed well above the playing field. Archaeologists haven't been able to reconstruct the exact method or rules of play, but it seems clear that, due to its grandeur, only the most skilled athletes would have been allowed to compete here in the most elite matches, which at least sometimes resulted in the death of the losing players.
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.
The Snail
Meaning "The Snail" in Spanish, El Caracol is one of the most unusual structures found at any Mayan site. Constructed on top of a raised, flat platform, El Caracol is a circular building that contains a spiral staircase. These two features are very difficult to construct from the stone materials used at Chichen Itza, and indicate a remarkable degree of proficiency on the part of the architects, not to mention intent. Why would the Mayans build a raised, round structure, which also has a curious sequence of portal-like doors and windows? The answer seems to lie in the stars, as scientists have confirmed that these windows align to specific astronomical phenomena such as the passage of Venus across the night sky. The affinity of the Maya for watching and charting the stars has been well-established, and it appears that El Caracol is one of the first observatories in the western hemisphere, not to mention one of the oldest still in existence.
The Balanckanche Caverns
Not far from the center of Chichen Itza, there is an entrance to an elaborate and ancient network of caverns known as the Caves of Balanckanche. Inside these caves are an astounding number of artifacts that span practically the entire history of the Mayan civilization, from the Pre-Classic era right up through the Spanish colonization of the Yucatan. Most of these finds have been left exactly as they were discovered, so that visitors to the caves can view an archaeological site just as it appears when researchers first stumble upon it. Many examples of pottery, statues, idols, carvings, and other ancient trinkets are fully on display; even more interesting, though, is the shape of the cave system itself. Consisting of a central limestone column and a bifurcating network of branch-like chambers, the caves strongly resemble a tree, which is thought by scientists to be an intentional representation of the World Tree so central to Mayan mythology.
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.
The Descent of Kukulcan
Occurring in late March, the Spring Equinox is a special time for Chichen Itza, and its passing is marked by a three-day festival of singing, dancing, music, and theater. The high point of the Spring festival is the so-called "Descent of Kukulcan" which happens at the El Castillo pyramid. During the late afternoon, you can see a series of triangular shadows appear on the western face of the pyramid (caused by the sun shining over the northwest corner); the shadows then appear to actually crawl down the side of El Castillo in a manner quite reminiscent of a large snake. Though no archaeologists have been able to confirm this was the intention of the builders, given that the pyramid itself was built in tribute of the feathered serpent god Kukulcan, many believe that the ingenious and astronomically-inclined Maya designed the structure to create this phenomenon on an especially significant day of the year.
There are seven ball courts within the city, but the most famous (and largest) by far is the Great Ball Court, which hosted games of tlatchtli, the famous Mesoamerican Ball Sport. Over 150 meters long, it occupies a huge swath in the northeast corner of the city, with massive spectator stands and intricately decorated goal hoops placed well above the playing field. Archaeologists haven't been able to reconstruct the exact method or rules of play, but it seems clear that, due to its grandeur, only the most skilled athletes would have been allowed to compete here in the most elite matches, which at least sometimes resulted in the death of the losing players.
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.
The Snail
Meaning "The Snail" in Spanish, El Caracol is one of the most unusual structures found at any Mayan site. Constructed on top of a raised, flat platform, El Caracol is a circular building that contains a spiral staircase. These two features are very difficult to construct from the stone materials used at Chichen Itza, and indicate a remarkable degree of proficiency on the part of the architects, not to mention intent. Why would the Mayans build a raised, round structure, which also has a curious sequence of portal-like doors and windows? The answer seems to lie in the stars, as scientists have confirmed that these windows align to specific astronomical phenomena such as the passage of Venus across the night sky. The affinity of the Maya for watching and charting the stars has been well-established, and it appears that El Caracol is one of the first observatories in the western hemisphere, not to mention one of the oldest still in existence.
The Balanckanche Caverns
Not far from the center of Chichen Itza, there is an entrance to an elaborate and ancient network of caverns known as the Caves of Balanckanche. Inside these caves are an astounding number of artifacts that span practically the entire history of the Mayan civilization, from the Pre-Classic era right up through the Spanish colonization of the Yucatan. Most of these finds have been left exactly as they were discovered, so that visitors to the caves can view an archaeological site just as it appears when researchers first stumble upon it. Many examples of pottery, statues, idols, carvings, and other ancient trinkets are fully on display; even more interesting, though, is the shape of the cave system itself. Consisting of a central limestone column and a bifurcating network of branch-like chambers, the caves strongly resemble a tree, which is thought by scientists to be an intentional representation of the World Tree so central to Mayan mythology.
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.
The Descent of Kukulcan
Occurring in late March, the Spring Equinox is a special time for Chichen Itza, and its passing is marked by a three-day festival of singing, dancing, music, and theater. The high point of the Spring festival is the so-called "Descent of Kukulcan" which happens at the El Castillo pyramid. During the late afternoon, you can see a series of triangular shadows appear on the western face of the pyramid (caused by the sun shining over the northwest corner); the shadows then appear to actually crawl down the side of El Castillo in a manner quite reminiscent of a large snake. Though no archaeologists have been able to confirm this was the intention of the builders, given that the pyramid itself was built in tribute of the feathered serpent god Kukulcan, many believe that the ingenious and astronomically-inclined Maya designed the structure to create this phenomenon on an especially significant day of the year.
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