What country is Chichen Itza in? Of course, in Mexico! Chichen Itza - one of the main ones. Ancient city Maya, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, is known to everyone who comes to this magical land. The pyramids of the ancient Mayans and Toltecs, numerous architectural monuments and proximity to - all this annually attracts millions of tourists from all over the world and makes Chichen Itza a real tourist capital of Mexico.
Pyramids and ancient city of Chichen Itza in Mexico
Chichen Itza is an ancient city in northern Mexico, located on the Yucatan Peninsula. These places were inhabited by the ancient inhabitants of the Maya and Toltecs. At dawn, the population of the ancient city of Chichen Itza was 10 thousand, although some scientists believe that this number should be 2 or even 3 times more. Now it is included in the heritage of UNESCO. Ancient objects are carefully guarded.
The architecture of the city dates back to the period from the 6th to the 13th centuries. The Spaniards dismantled most of the ancient cities for building materials, but they did not touch Chechen Itza. You can enjoy the view at any time of the year. Unofficially, Chechen Itza is called the eighth wonder of the world. Opening hours from 8.00 to 18.00. Entrance to the territory costs 220 Mexican pesos, and guide services 750 pesos. Children under 12 do not need a ticket.
Chichen Itza is located in North America country Mexico. On the map you need to find the Yucatan Peninsula, where the city is located. The neighbors of Chechen Itza are the cities, Cancun and - these are also popular tourist places. To get to these places by plane, you need to fly where the nearest international airport is located. Flights are made both from Europe and directly from the capital Russian Federation, Moscow.
The map also allows you to notice the main goal of many tourists - the pyramid of Kukulkan. On the left side of it, 100 meters away is the entrance to the city of Chechen Itza itself. There is also car parking nearby.
How to get from Cancun
To get to the city from Cancun, tourists and guests of the peninsula can use several accessible ways. For example:
- The bus is the most practical means of transport. The journey will take a little more than 3 hours. Serves carrier ADO. Ticket price from 10 € to 16 €.
- Transfer order will cost from 30 € to 40 €. The car can be picked up immediately from the airport, or from another place of stay, for example, from a hotel.
- By renting a car, you can get there more comfortably and faster. The journey will take only 2 hours. You need to drive 200 km to Chichen Itza, which will take 16 liters of fuel. Gasoline will cost about 20 €.
Comfortable guided tour
Taking into account the cost of transfers and tickets, the most profitable option to visit Chichen Itza is to book an excursion. For example, you can visit several attractions at once in a comfortable minibus with a Russian-speaking guide.
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How to get from other regions
The same bus runs from Merida as from Cancun, it costs 6 €. From Valladolid, you can comfortably travel by shuttle bus.
History of Chichen Itza
The name has been widely used since the reign of the Mayan tribes. Translated from local languages, Chichen Itza can be translated as "At the mouth of the Itza well", or "The mouth of the well of water sorcerers." Chi indicates the mouth or edge, chen means the source or well. Itza is an ancient people who ruled the entire region near the city. The word Itza itself is often translated as "sorcerer". If broken into two parts, then Itz is a sorcerer, and ha is water.
The ancient documents available to us show that there are other variants of the name of the city. For example, this is evidenced by the data of the Chilam-Bilam code. At the same time, it is difficult to establish exactly what the city was called before the arrival of Itza, which is hindered by the incomplete discovery of the ancient dialect. To date, several ancient names are known: Yuuk Yabnal, (Seven Great Houses), Yuuk Khab Nal (Seven Bushy Places), Yuukuabnal (Seven Great Rulers) and Uk Abnal (Seven Ways of Abnal).
Discovery history
History can be divided into two periods. The first lasted from the 7th to the 10th century, when the city belonged to the Mayan tribe. The second began with the conquest of the area by the Toltecs in the 10th century. The 11th century was marked by the granting of the status of the capital of the Toltec lands. But the city on the throne did not last long. The Maya decided to reclaim the city. Hunak Keel gathered a skilled army from the cities of Mayapan, Uxmal and Itzmal. He led the campaign against Chichen Itza, which led to success in 1178.
Later, due to unknown reasons, the city was completely destroyed and was in ruins. This happened in 1194. Although the Spaniards destroyed all the documents of the ancient tribes, historians have found that the frequent attacks on the city weakened the people. The upper strata of society dispersed to other places. From Spanish records, it was established that the Indians went on pilgrimage to the ruins of the ancient city. Since the 15th century, the area has been used as pasture for livestock. It is not known why the city was deserted. Some researchers talk about a terrible famine, others about a bloody war.
There is also an opinion that a terrible epidemic has hit the inhabitants and that the virus is still under the ruins of the city.
Be that as it may, everything changed with the arrival of the Spaniards. The 18th century was marked by various studies and archaeological excavations. Even then, many artists and photographers came to capture the unique wealth of the Maya. And since the middle of the last century, the Mexican government issued a decree to globally restore the city of Chechen Itza to its original form. All possible works have been carried out and now it is an unusually popular place.
Attractions Chichen Itza
The city of Chichen Itza has a huge number of places of interest to tourists. If you go here as part of an excursion program, then an experienced guide will tell you in detail about each attraction. In this article, we will briefly review the main architectural monuments that you just can't miss.
There are many interesting things in the city, but the pyramid of Kukulkan stands apart from all known places. The pyramid is one of the surviving ancient architectural structures ancient tribes. On Spanish there are such names: Pirámide de Kukulkán, Templo de Kukulkán, "El Castillo". So called ancient pyramid feathered snake. Kukulkan is a god similar to Quetzalloatl. The object plunges into the times of the Mayan tribe. You can learn many exciting stories and retellings about how wonderful deities were worshiped here. In their religion, blood was shed and cruel rites were performed to appease the objects of worship. In fact, the pyramid is a sacred temple.
The pyramid is located in the center with a large area of 18 hectares. The temple is surrounded by a wide parapet made of stones. The size of the building itself is also impressive. The height is 24 meters, and if you take the top, then all 30. The length of each side has a size of 55 meters. All faces of the pyramid have 9 steps. On each of the four sides there are steep stairs, following which you can get to the top. Stairs are also oriented to the cardinal points. Each of them has 91 degrees, the total number of steps is 364. And if you add to this number the platform at the top, which combines 4 stairs, you get 365 - which means the number of days in the solar year.
The edge of the stairs is a stone fence in the form of a snake, whose head is at the bottom, and the body goes to the top. The size of the snake is 37 meters. An amazing show takes place here several days a year. When the autumn and spring equinoxes come, the shadow from the steps falls on the stones of the balustrade. At the same time, it seems that the Feathered Serpent is not just a sculpture, but a real reptile moving along the course. In the spring in March, it seems that the kite is moving up, and in the autumn in September, down. This action lasts 3 hours 22 minutes.
It is noteworthy that the stairs are cut into two, that is, the number of sections on each side of the pyramid is 18. This number is symbolic and indicates the same number of months in the Mayan calendar year.
The temple has 9 ledges and this is no coincidence. The Toltecs had their own beliefs about the "nine heavens". Each wall of the temple has 52 stone reliefs, which means 52 years - the Toltec calendar cycle.
Ruins of Chac-Mul in the north (Chacmools)
Ruins of Chak-Mul This attraction in Chichen Itza includes sculptures that leave no one indifferent. You can see altars, statues of Atlanteans and stone paintings. The architecture strikes the eye of the visitor.
Temple of the Warriors
Temple of the Warriors This is also a unique building. It has been amazingly preserved. A visit induces to admire the ancient people, their approach to business. The atmosphere allows you to feel yourself in the distant past. This is never forgotten.
Alley of a Thousand Columns (The Hall of the Thousand Columns)
In ancient times, this alley was a trade street. In the market, the clever tribes even built a roof so that the weather would not interfere with trading. Previously, the building had a large hall. Rows of iron and pottery items stood here. You can also buy simple household items. It was located near a large market.
Wall of Skulls (Tzompantli)
Although some kind of mysticism and horror emanates from the name, the picture of this object shows the opposite. Ta rock painting that is here is unique. Picturesque patterns and beautiful composition are of considerable interest. At the same time, it is not completely known how the ancient people used the Wall of Skulls.
Stadium (The Ball Courts)
Many do not know that even before the invention of football by the British, the ancient Maya used this ball game with might and main. The stadium was built over 3000 years ago. Of course, the purpose is very different from modern sports facilities. At that time, people held religious rituals at the stadium. And the losing football team immediately lost their lives. They were executed and sacrificed to the deities. The terrible picture is that the height of the walls did not allow the players to escape from the sad fate. And the leaders watched this picture from above. It's also creepy that a skull was used instead of a ball.
Chichen Itza has 7 sports facilities. The largest stadium is called "Huego de Pelota" (translated as "Large ball field"). The length of this field is 135 meters.
After visiting the amazing sites of ancient culture, stadiums seem like a rather boring place.
Temple of the Jaguars
It cannot be said that this temple is something really unusual. The building is quite small. The most worth seeing is the jaguar sculpture that stands in front of the temple. This is the most significant attraction of the temple, besides it, there are no other features in the Temple of the Jaguars.
Pyramid Old Chichen
The name Old Chichen was not given in vain - this building is one of the oldest in the city. The appearance of the pyramid is also amazing. She is decapitated. Nature has contributed to this. During an ancient hurricane, the top was destroyed. The restored steps are striking in their beauty. Tourists would even like to climb a small pyramid, but this is not provided.
Observatory (Caracol)
Amazing building. I want to look at it in detail from different angles. Near the observatory there is a tower, certainly an interesting object. You won't be able to go up the steps here either.
Church (Nunnery)
This is an amazing building. At least, according to what is sustained in the style of Mayan Chenes. And this is the most picturesque style of the ancient Mayan tribes. Ornaments amaze with their sophistication. For a tourist, this place should be a must visit place.
Sacred Cenote
The sacred cenote is located right within the boundaries of the old city of Chechen Itza. You need to work hard to find such a coveted object .. First you need to find the Chichen Itza park. Next, you need to leave behind the pyramid of Kukulkan and to the left of the ruins of Platforma de Venus there will be a sign to the cenote. It is important to carefully look at the signs indicating the way. The cenote is a natural well. The depth is approximately 50 m. It was used for sacrificial purposes. Girls and children were thrown there, as well as various religious objects, asking the gods for rain.
Cenote Ik-Kil
Cenote Ik Kil The cenote is located just 5 kilometers from the city. You can get there along highway 180. This one is very a nice place well worth the trip alone. Mexico can be proud of such facilities.
Shops and shopping near Chichen Itza
The closest shops to Chichen Itza are in Pista. Here you can find several grocery stores, butchers, restaurants and savings banks. Shops and addresses of their location along Dsitas-Piste street:
- Bootix de los mayas - goods for needlework;
- Taller la escondida - at the intersection with 5th street;
- Las sobrinas de la tia - a restaurant at the intersection with 5-A street;
- Pollaria Suemi - grocery store closer to the 7th street intersection;
- Banco Azteca - between 7th and 9th streets;
- El Panal - at the intersection with 11th street;
- Novedades Y Regalos El Arca - gift shop at the intersection of 12th street and 180th highway.
There are 4 Mexican restaurants along Costera del Golfo Highway 180, Marthas Pizzeria at the intersection with 22nd Street, and Tecate Six Brasserie closer to the 18th Street intersection.
The following stores and establishments are located along Highway 180:
- Maxicarne - meat products, on 15-A street;
- Neveria Basulto - at the intersection with 8th street;
- Balam House - pizzeria at the intersection with street 6;
- Fruiteria Dorcy - food market, between 4th and 6th streets;
- Taller Mecanico "El Chino" - grocery store. Azteca - between 7th and 9th streets.
In Pista there are also museums, hotels and small hotels. Here you can buy everything you need for more affordable prices than in smaller resort towns. Souvenirs and food products are more profitable to purchase in larger cities. From Chichen Itza to Pista, the distance is about two kilometers, so shopping is not difficult and does not take much time, even if you take a walk along the Merida-Valladorit highway. At a distance of 4 km in the opposite direction from Piste, there is the town of X-Kalakoop. There are several grocery stores, a bar, a restaurant and a home improvement store.
Also on the way you can stop by Libre Union, Tsitas, Tunkas, or more Big City Valladolit, where the choice of products, shops and other goods will help you to make more varied and profitable purchases.
Book a trip to Chichen Itza
Please note: This content requires JavaScript.The city of Chichen Itza was once an important commercial and ceremonial center. It is believed that it was built between 600 and the end of the first millennium AD. The Maya Indians were good mathematicians, engineers and astronomers, which is proved by the buildings preserved here. If you want to see as much as possible, we advise you to arrive early - at 11.00 crowds are already gathering here. Remember that closer to noon it will become unbearably hot, and there is practically no shade here.
You can see the temple of El Castillo, built in the form of a pyramid and dedicated to the god Kukulkan (Quetzalcoatl), depicted as a feathered serpent with a human head. It is claimed that this serpent sliding down from the pyramid can be seen twice a year - on the spring and autumn equinoxes. (September 21 and March 21). At three o'clock in the afternoon, the rays of the sun illuminate the western balustrade of the main staircase of the pyramid in such a way that light and shadow form an image of seven isosceles triangles, which, in turn, make up the body of a thirty-seven-meter snake, "creeping" as the sun moves to its own head, carved at the base of the stairs . The phenomenal performance lasts about 3.5 hours and gathers a lot of people. In ancient times, the appearance of a snake served as signals for the start of sowing cereals or harvesting.
Don't miss the opportunity to see also preserved fragments of the large ball court, Juego de Pelota (Juego de Pelota); it was larger than modern football fields, and the balls flew into the air to a height of 6 m! Here they forced to play captives captured in wars; it is not known who was then sacrificed - the winners or the losers, but it is known for certain that their heads, along with many others, were exhibited on peaks on the Skull Wall, Tsompantli (Tzompantli).
However, not all the remains of the sacred victims ended up here. Sacred cenote, Cenote Sagrado (Cenote Sogrado)- an impressive natural well 90 m in diameter, in which the researchers found not only gold ingots and jadeite jewelry, but also children's skeletons. Looking into the abyss 20 m deep, you can imagine the horror that the condemned experienced before they were sacrificed to the gods of rain, and 170 km (about 3 hours journey) from Cancun (Cancun) on the way to Merida (Merida). 8.00-17.00 daily. Buses run frequently from Cancun and other resorts in the Riviera Maya. Usually they carry organized excursions. From Cozumel and the island of Mujeres, many tourists arrive directly with luggage to go home the same day - it's cheaper and less tiring.
What to see
- "Temple of Kukulkan" - 9-step pyramid (height 24 meters) with wide stairs on each side. (During the spring and autumn equinoxes (March 20 and September 22) at about three o'clock in the afternoon, the rays of the sun illuminate the western balustrade of the main staircase of the pyramid in such a way that light and shadow form an image of seven isosceles triangles, which, in turn, make up the body of a thirty-seven-meter snake, "creeping" as the sun moves to its own head, carved at the base stairs.);
- "Temple of warriors in Chichen Itza" on a low 4-step pyramid and "Temple of Jaguars" (both with wall paintings);
- Observatory "Karakol";
- 7 "stadiums" for ball games ("Large field for playing ball" (Huego de Pelota)- the biggest playground of all Maya creations. The length of the playing field reaches 135 m. There is some evidence that a certain cruelty accompanied the game of the ball.);
- Ruins of 4 colonnades forming a giant rectangle ("Group of a Thousand Columns");
- Sacred cenote - a natural well about 50 m deep, which served for sacrifices.
- Statues of deities with a characteristic stylization of plastic forms, reliefs rich in floral and geometric ornamentation, works of small plastic arts and artistic crafts, etc., have also been preserved.
Story
During their heyday, the Maya managed to erect many architectural monuments that amaze us with their size and beauty. The pearl of this treasure is the temple of Chichen Itza, located on the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico. It is believed that Chichen Itza was erected in the second half of the first millennium, when the Mayan rulers ordered the construction Big city around three natural reservoirs. Thanks to the underground springs that fed the lakes, the population of the city all year round had plenty of water.
Tens of thousands of Maya participated in the construction of the city, intended for rulers and priests with their families. Ordinary members of the tribe lived in adobe huts and worked tirelessly in the fields, providing the city with grain and meat and serving the ruling elite.
The Mayan rulers gained strength every year, so the sudden collapse of their empire at the end of the 9th century. seems all the more strange and surprising. Apparently, at this time Chichen Itza was simply abandoned by its inhabitants. Scientists have found signs of disaster such as drought, crop failure and famine, or a combination of all three, but this does not explain such a rapid decline of a powerful civilization. Only a small part of the Mayan Indians survived - so that in the 16th century. be under the heel of Spain. The Spanish chronicles mention the Maya as a primitive tribe living on the fruits of the surrounding jungle. Not surprisingly, the European conquerors very quickly became masters of the situation.
The power of the ruler of Chichen Itza was symbolized by his throne, erected on the top of the pyramid of Kukulkan. With a height of 30 m, it dominates all surrounding buildings. The most complex iconography, as well as the numerical proportions embedded in the building, indicate that the Maya possessed extensive technical knowledge. The pyramid itself can be considered an example of the "magic of numbers" used by the Maya. On its basement floor there are 4 flights of stairs, 91 steps each. 4 X 91+1 (basement itself)= 365, the number of days in a year. Opposite the pyramid of Kukulkan stands the Temple of the Warriors (Templos de los Guerreros). Its attraction is the Hall of 1000 columns, supposedly serving as a barracks. Its rear doors open onto a 91 x 36 m ball court.
Images of snakes are ubiquitous in all the buildings of Chichen Itza. Kukulkan, "the serpent-creeping-from-the-tower", and Quetzalcoatl, "the feathered serpent", were considered by the Maya as the main deities. And faith in them could not be destroyed even by the collapse of the state itself. When in the 16th century the Spaniards landed in the Yucatan, the feathered serpent was still considered the main deity among the descendants of the Maya and the Mexican Aztecs.
Chronology
- OK. 435-455: According to the much later Chumayel chronicle, Chichen Itza was founded between 435 and 455. AD It is believed that the city was abandoned by the inhabitants by the end of the 9th century. The Toltecs conquered it in 987.
- 999: The Mayan ruler of Tula, named Quetzalcoatl after the chief deity, died.
- 1533: The Yucatan is conquered by the Spaniards.
- 1841-1842: The explorations of John Stevens marked the beginning of the scientific study of Chichen Itza.
- 1904-1907: Speleologists discover a spring deemed "holy" or "mystical".
- 1923: Start of systematic excavations at Chichen Itza. F 1988: Chichen Itza added to the List world heritage UNESCO.
(to know Full description programs and cost can be found at the contacts at the bottom of the article)
One of the most popular and super-visited historical sites in Mexico - Chichen Itza, located in relative proximity (200 km) from the equally popular beach resort Cancun. Mayan ancient city Chichen Itza has long been recognized by UNESCO as a World cultural heritage. Chichen Itza is the second most popular place among tourists from all over the world where archaeological sites are available to visit. Chichen Itza is one of the recognized new seven wonders of the world!
Chichen Itza - Rebuilt Mayan City
Chichen Itza- This is an ancient Mayan settlement located in the state of Yucatan, 120 kilometers from Merida (the state capital) and almost 200 kilometers from Cancun (the state of Quintana Roo). From the Mayan language, Chichen Itza literally translates as the well of the Mayan people (more precisely, one of the many Mayan tribes). Indeed, in the territory of the Chichen Itza archaeological park at the end of the 19th century, the very ritual cenote was discovered, which gave the world a lot of artifacts and interesting things of the Indians who inhabited these places in the past. Unfortunately, many of these cultural units remained forever lost to the owner of the heritage - Mexico. The Chichen Itza Archaeological Park is located on 6 square kilometers and is protected and studied UNESCO object. On the territory of this park there is a whole ensemble of former architecture:
1. Pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo)2. Sacred Cenote3. Temple of the Jaguar (Temple de Jaguaras)4. Platform of the Jaguars and Eagles5. Platform of Venus6. Great Ball Court7. Temple of the Warriors8. Group of the One Thousand9. Caracol Observatory
Pyramid of Kukulkan
Pyramid of Kukulkan- This is the most popular structure in the Chichen Itza archaeological park. Many thousands of photographs of tourists were taken against the background of this nine-tiered pyramid with four wide staircases on 4 cardinal points, a priest's platform at the top and a bas-relief ensemble at the foot. Four stairs lead to the temple on the platform of the priest, and the entrance to it is decorated with the mask of the rain god Chaak. In the traditions performed during the construction of the pyramid of Kukulkan, the adherence of the ancients to numerology can be traced. So, the total number of steps on each of the stairs of the pyramid in total gives the number 364, and one more, common 365th step, is located at the top - it is common to all sides. 9 tiers consist of 52 panels on each side. 52 is the number of years in one cycle of the Mayan calendar. ()
Pyramid at Chichen Itza. Until 2006, the pyramid was available for climbing. Descending serpent Kukulkan
A notable feature of this temple building is its precise geographical position relative to the cardinal points and strict geometric shapes. Yes, twice a year March 20 and September 21 on the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes "descent of the feathered serpent"- visual appearance of the jagged body of a mystical deity in the form of a shadow cast by the geometric curves of the pyramid shapes. Chain of seven isosceles triangles and stone head at the foot of Kukulkan - causes indescribable delight among tourists arriving in the ancient city of Chichen Itza from all over the world!
The descent of the serpent's shadow at Chichen Itza is only visible on the equinoxes.Temple of a Thousand Columns
To the east of the Kukulkan pyramid is a temple colonnade (Group of a thousand columns) - part of a large archaeological complex, which included "Temple of Warriors", ancient market and ritual bath Temazcal.
Colonnade at Chichen Itza Indian Football Pok ta Pok
On the opposite side is a stadium for playing ball - the Indian analogue of football - "Pok-ta-Pok". It is the largest ball stadium in the Yucatan. It is 166 meters long and 68 meters wide. The height of the walls, on which the spectators were located on both sides, was 12 meters, and at a height of 8 meters there were rings into which it was necessary to score a ball. Judging by the ensemble of bas-reliefs on the walls of this “football” field, the game was quite fierce. Not only did the rubber ball itself weigh at least 4 kg and it was allowed to hit it with shoulders, elbows and hips, so victory and continued death for it was a matter of honor for the ancient Maya. The same bas-reliefs tell about the honor of dying from a blade in the heart of the captain of the winning team. The game was quite popular among both the nobility and the common people.
Temple of the Jaguar
To the side of the playing field are the ruins of the temple of the jaguar. Here is a bas-relief image of a pair of intertwined snakes, jaguars that run in different directions and three symbols of war and resistance - shields! ()
Temple of the Warriors of Chichen Itza
The Temple of Warriors, located near the Temple of the Jaguar, attracts tourists with the figurine of the deity familiar from the brochures. Chuck Mole. He was traditionally depicted in a recumbent position with a ritual tray or thicket on his stomach. The temple is not accessible for entry, but because of the fence, you can easily see the facades of two buildings with a bas-relief image of sacred jaguars, the feathered serpent Kukulkan and the deity Chaak with a long nose twisted to the bottom.
Market in Chichen Itza
The market square, which is a series of columns, the Indian temazcal bath with a preserved vestibule with columns and a steam room is another part of the architectural park worth visiting.
Observatory at Chichen Itza
The southern part of Chichen Itza is interesting for its unique object - the observatory "Shell" or "Karakol". Surprising is the fact that special holes were made in the dome of the observatory through which you can observe the trajectory of the celestial bodies and objects.
Souvenirs in Chichen Itza
A must-see place in the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza is a small alley along which souvenir merchants settled. At the end of this alley is a sacred sacrificial cenote 250 meters deep and up to 65 meters in diameter. The cenote became a place last resort for the many thousands of sacrifices made to the god of rain. Along with the remains of the victims, at the beginning of the 20th century, gold and emeralds of no value to the ancient Maya were raised from the bottom.
We answer the most frequently asked questions of tourists in Yandex before leaving for Mexico! For the correctness of writing questions, I apologize - the statistics were taken from search sites) But, preferences, fears and expectations of future lucky ones are immediately visible resort holiday on the Caribbean coast of Mexico!
Questions and answers:
1. How to get to Chichen Itza? How many kilometers to Chichen Itza? What state is Chichen Itza in?
Answer: The ancient city of Chichen Itza and the Pyramid of Kukulkan can be reached with a tour (this is the most convenient way), as well as on an intercity bus with bus station ADO and by rented car. Chichen Itza from Cancun can be reached by 3 federal highways. Distance 180-200 km. Chichen Itza is located in Yucatan. Cancun is located in the state of Quintana Roux.
Chichen Itza is one of the few ancient cities that have been partially restored during excavations. It is located in Mexico near Cancun. Previously, it was political and Cultural Center Maya civilization. And although today the territory is abandoned by the inhabitants, the attraction is a UNESCO heritage, so tourists come to see the ancient buildings not in the photo, but with their own eyes.
Historical summary of Chichen Itza
From history, everyone knows about the Mayan tribe, but by the time the Spaniards landed on the Yucatan Peninsula, only scattered settlements remained from the large population. The ancient city of Chichen Itza is an irrefutable confirmation that once a civilization was very powerful, and the knowledge that it possessed can still surprise today. 
The beginning of the construction of the city dates back to the 6th century. Architecture can be roughly divided into two periods: Mayan and Toltec cultures. The first buildings appeared in the 6th-7th centuries, subsequent buildings were erected after the capture of the area by the Toltecs in the 10th century. 
In 1178 the city was partially destroyed after the invasion of Hunak Keel. In 1194, the previously prosperous center was almost completely empty. It was still used for pilgrimage purposes, but for unknown reasons, the inhabitants never returned to the city with unusual architecture and infrastructure developed at that time. In the 16th century, it was already completely abandoned, as the Spanish conquerors came across only ruins.
Sights of the ancient city
When visiting Chichen Itza, it is difficult to ignore the monumental buildings of the city, which even today surprise with their scale. The visiting card is the Temple of Kukulkan, a pyramid 24 meters high. The Maya worshiped divine beings in the form of feathered snakes, so they hid an amazing miracle in the design features of the Pyramid of Kukulkan.
On the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes, the sun's rays fall on the slopes of the building so that they create the shadows of the seven equilateral triangles. These geometric figures are combined into a single whole and form a snake crawling along the pyramid, 37 meters in size. The spectacle lasts almost 3.5 hours and annually gathers a huge crowd around it.
Also, during the excursions, they necessarily talk about the Temple of the Warriors and the Temple of the Jaguars, painted with unusual drawings. At the Temple of Warriors, you can see the ruins of a thousand columns, each with images of warriors. In those days, astronomy was of great importance for the inhabitants, so it is not surprising that there is an observatory in the ancient city. The staircase has a spiral shape, so the building is called Karakol, which translates as "snail". 
One of the darkest places in the city is the Sacred Cenote, where there is a well with the remains of animals and people. During the Toltec period, sacrifice played a key role in religion, but many children's skeletons have been found here. Scholars still cannot figure out why children were needed for the rites. Perhaps this secret will remain hidden within the walls of Chichen Itza.
For the Maya, astronomy was put at the head of everything, a lot of nuances in architecture are associated with the passage of time and calendar features. So, for example, the Temple of Kukulkan consists of nine tiers, on each side a staircase divides the pyramid in half. As a result, 18 tiers are formed, the same number of months in the Mayan calendar. Each of the four stairs has exactly 91 steps, which in total with the upper pedestal is 365 pieces, and this is the number of days in a year. 
Interestingly, the locals liked to play pot-ta-pok with a ball. Several playgrounds are proof of this. The largest reaches 135 meters in length and 68 in width. Around it are temples, one on each side of the world. Guides usually show you how to get to the sports fields and explain the rules of the game.
Chichen Itza can easily surprise you, because the city impresses with its scope. It seems that everything in it was thought out to the smallest detail, which is why it is not clear for what reasons the inhabitants left it. The mystery of history may forever remain unsolved, and this is even more interesting for tourists.
115 km from and 193 km from.
The ancient city of Chichen Itza is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site and is the second most popular archaeological site among tourists in Mexico (after Teotihuacan).
Translated from the language of local tribes, this name means "Itza Tribe Well". Archaeologists consider it one of the religious "places of power" associated with the Mayan culture.
Over the course of about a thousand years of history, various peoples have left their mark on the appearance of the city. The ideas of the Mayan, Toltec and Itza peoples about the world and the universe were reflected in stone monuments and artistic works.
Buildings in Chichen Itza are conditionally divided into two groups. The first includes buildings dating from the 6th-7th centuries. n. e. and related to the period of the Mayan culture. The second group of buildings belongs to the Toltec period of the X-XI centuries. n. e.
Story
Chichen Itza was founded presumably in the 7th century AD. e.
In the X century it was captured by the Toltecs.
In the middle of the XI century, Chichen Itza became the capital of the Toltec state.
In 1178, it was defeated by the combined army of three city-states - Mayapan, Ushmal and Itzmal, which was headed by Hunak Keel. By the time of the Spanish conquests (mid-16th century), Chichen Itza was a ruin.
After 1194 mysterious city finally deserted. There are no exact data on what caused this. The policy of the Spanish conquerors who invaded Mexico included the burning of manuscripts and the murder of Mayan clerics. Thus, much of its mysterious history has been lost.
Attractions Chichen Itza
Pyramid of Kukulkan or El Castillo- a temple building that survived among the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza.
Inside the pyramid, the entrance to which is located on the north side, there is a temple with two rooms. It contains a sacrificial figure of Chak-Mool and a jaguar throne. The height of the pyramid is 24 m, the base is 55x55 m, 365 steps leading up, symbolizing the days of the year. In addition to the function of the temple, the pyramid probably served as a calendar.
Every year on the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes (March 21 and September 23) one can observe the unique spectacle of the “feathered serpent”. The shadow of the stepped edges of the pyramid falls on one of the stairs. At the same time, it seems that a snake is crawling along it, up in March, and down in September. The end of the stairs, in keeping with this effect, is surmounted by a stone serpent's head.
- a natural well, located 300 meters north of the main buildings of the city, with which it is connected by a sacred sakba.
It is a giant round funnel with a diameter of over 60 meters. Its sheer walls, made of layers of limestone, drop steeply down to the dark green water. According to the Maya, the rain god Chak lived inside the well. The Maya brought human sacrifices to him, throwing them to the bottom of the cenote.
In 1961 and 1967 the sacred cenote was explored by Mexican expeditions. Two large wooden thrones, about a hundred clay jugs and bowls of various sizes, gold jewelry, jade, rock crystal, bones, mother-of-pearl, amber, copper and onyx, as well as human and animal bones were found.
- a building located on top of a stepped pyramid (40x40m), surrounded by a large number of carved columns (a group of a thousand columns). The height of the columns reaches 3 m. Most of these columns depict Toltec warriors, which is why the Temple of Warriors is called that.
Opposite the main door of the Temple of the Warriors is a statue of Chac Mool, depicting a human figure in a recumbent position, with its head turned to one side and holding a bowl intended for gifts to the gods.
- located on the south side of the Temple of the Warriors and is formed by three colonnades surrounding a fairly large area on three sides.
It is believed that once the columns supported the roof. But from the roof over the sanctuary, which is located on the upper platform of the Temple of Warriors, where two stairs lead, nothing remains. Only two stylized snakes remained, made in the form of columns and symbolizing Kukulkan.
- a round structure on a large platform. According to the researchers, there was an astronomical observatory for observing the planets, especially Venus.
- the largest playground ever created by the Maya. The length of the playing field reaches 150 m. On the sides of the playing field there are vertical walls 8.5 m high. In the center of each wall, heavy stone rings with snake ornaments are installed - 7.25 m above the ground.
The goal of the game is to hit the stone rings with a heavy (up to 2 kg) rubber ball, the size of a human head. The ball was taken on a "collar" or beaten off with a bat, only elbows, knees or hips were used. The ball, representing the sun, was probably not allowed to touch the earth, otherwise its symbolic "path" would be interrupted.
The team that missed the ball into the ring was considered the loser. It is believed that the losers were sacrificed in ritual (the reliefs on the panels decorating the bases of the walls show decapitated players).
Chichen Itza has several other similar structures, but the "Great Field" is much larger than them.
Last changes: 04/10/2015
