Among Mayan sites in the Yucatan, the ancient city of Chichen Itza stands out as one of the largest, most amazing, and most intriguing of them all. Because the city's population was so diverse and its history so extensive, the numerous buildings combine many architectural styles and motifs, and visitors could easily be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by the task of choosing what to see. Ad-hoc exploration is not likely to be fruitful, as the sheer size of the site will just leave you confused and walking in aimless circles; you'll need a map and a plan to find your way around the city. Below are listed a few of the most magnificent sites, along with their locations, to better equip you to explore Chichn Itz.
The largest and most impressive of the seven tlatchtli ball courts within the city's perimeter is the Great Ballcourt, found at the northwest corner. Although scientists aren't sure exactly how this game was played, it's considered likely that it was similar to the modern-day game of umal, which originates from western Mexico. Tlatchtli was played by a large number of cultures in Central America and evolved over many centuries. In many ways, the 150-meter-long court at Chichen Itza represents the pinnacle of this process; the huge audience stands that flank it, and the ornately carved goal hoops set high above the playing field lead archaeologists to suspect that only the most elite players competed in this arena " in ceremonial games which at least sometimes resulted in the ritual sacrifice of the losing team.
The Warrior Temple
The Temple of Warriors is a gigantic stepped pyramid which is named for the many rows of martial statues which stand guard on the front and side of the structure. Called the Templo de los Guerreros in Spanish, it was initially built around an older, smaller temple called the Temple of Chac Mool. A Chac Mool statue is one of the temple's most prominent features today, sitting atop the pyramid in the typical reclining posture and holding a tray (thought to have been a platform used in ritual sacrifices). Though visitors are currently not permitted to scale the pyramid due to ongoing restoration efforts, you can certainly walk right up to it and stare up in awe and wonder as its massive size and architectural magnificence.
El Caracol
Meaning "The Snail" in Spanish, El Caracol is a circular building set upon a large square platform, and is named for the spiral staircase contained within its dome. Building such structures out of stone takes a significant mastery of architecture and materials, and displays the Mayans genius and proficiency for building. More than that, it puts the Mayan predilection for science front and center; the shape and the placement of its doors and windows leads archaeologists to speculate that this was used as an astronomical observatory, specifically designed to align with the movements of the heavens (such as the pat of Venus across the night sky), and as such is one of the first known in the western hemisphere and one the earliest that still exists today.
The Caves of Balanckanche
Close by to the city proper is the entryway to a particularly ancient network of caves, known as the Caves of Balanckanche. They are one of Chichn Itz's most incredible features, in part because of their size and shape, but mostly due to the wealth of artifacts contained within. Hundreds of statues, idols, carvings, pottery, and other items litter the cave floors, spanning nearly the entire history of Mayan civilization from the Pre-Classic times until well after the Spanish invasion of the Yucatn. Most of the artifacts have not been removed, but rather studied while in the same position as when first discovered, in order to afford visitors to the caverns a unique glimpse of a one-of-a-kind archaeological find unspoiled by later human activity. The layout of the caves is also extremely significant. Consisting of a central column made of limestone, which branches out into an unmistakable series of limb-like patterns, the overall structure of the caves looks like nothing so much as an enormous tree " important because the World-Tree is one of the central concepts of Mayan mythology and religion.
Unforgettable Display of Light and Sound
You should be aware that if you purchase a daytime ticket to visit Chichen Itza, you're also allowed to stay or return to the site after sundown, when a spectacular light and sound show takes place near the giant pyramid El Castillo, featuring laser strobe displays and a heart-pounding musical score. With a duration of about an hour, the colorful and entrancing show is narrated in Spanish, but you can obtain headsets which provide the soundtrack in a variety of other languages.
Kukulcan's Descent
The Spring Equinox (occurring in late March) is an especially important time in the calendar of events at Chichen Itza; for three days, the city hosts a variety of music, theater, and dancing. The centerpiece of this experience is the "Descent of Kukulcan" on the pyramid itself; during the late afternoon, triangle-shaped shadows are cast by the northwest corner of the pyramid, creating an effect that looks uncannily like a snake crawling down the side of the temple. Though there is no archaeological data to support the conjecture, many have assumed the intention of the pyramid's designers was to simulate the great feathered serpent god Kukulcan descending to earth.
The largest and most impressive of the seven tlatchtli ball courts within the city's perimeter is the Great Ballcourt, found at the northwest corner. Although scientists aren't sure exactly how this game was played, it's considered likely that it was similar to the modern-day game of umal, which originates from western Mexico. Tlatchtli was played by a large number of cultures in Central America and evolved over many centuries. In many ways, the 150-meter-long court at Chichen Itza represents the pinnacle of this process; the huge audience stands that flank it, and the ornately carved goal hoops set high above the playing field lead archaeologists to suspect that only the most elite players competed in this arena " in ceremonial games which at least sometimes resulted in the ritual sacrifice of the losing team.
The Warrior Temple
The Temple of Warriors is a gigantic stepped pyramid which is named for the many rows of martial statues which stand guard on the front and side of the structure. Called the Templo de los Guerreros in Spanish, it was initially built around an older, smaller temple called the Temple of Chac Mool. A Chac Mool statue is one of the temple's most prominent features today, sitting atop the pyramid in the typical reclining posture and holding a tray (thought to have been a platform used in ritual sacrifices). Though visitors are currently not permitted to scale the pyramid due to ongoing restoration efforts, you can certainly walk right up to it and stare up in awe and wonder as its massive size and architectural magnificence.
El Caracol
Meaning "The Snail" in Spanish, El Caracol is a circular building set upon a large square platform, and is named for the spiral staircase contained within its dome. Building such structures out of stone takes a significant mastery of architecture and materials, and displays the Mayans genius and proficiency for building. More than that, it puts the Mayan predilection for science front and center; the shape and the placement of its doors and windows leads archaeologists to speculate that this was used as an astronomical observatory, specifically designed to align with the movements of the heavens (such as the pat of Venus across the night sky), and as such is one of the first known in the western hemisphere and one the earliest that still exists today.
The Caves of Balanckanche
Close by to the city proper is the entryway to a particularly ancient network of caves, known as the Caves of Balanckanche. They are one of Chichn Itz's most incredible features, in part because of their size and shape, but mostly due to the wealth of artifacts contained within. Hundreds of statues, idols, carvings, pottery, and other items litter the cave floors, spanning nearly the entire history of Mayan civilization from the Pre-Classic times until well after the Spanish invasion of the Yucatn. Most of the artifacts have not been removed, but rather studied while in the same position as when first discovered, in order to afford visitors to the caverns a unique glimpse of a one-of-a-kind archaeological find unspoiled by later human activity. The layout of the caves is also extremely significant. Consisting of a central column made of limestone, which branches out into an unmistakable series of limb-like patterns, the overall structure of the caves looks like nothing so much as an enormous tree " important because the World-Tree is one of the central concepts of Mayan mythology and religion.
Unforgettable Display of Light and Sound
You should be aware that if you purchase a daytime ticket to visit Chichen Itza, you're also allowed to stay or return to the site after sundown, when a spectacular light and sound show takes place near the giant pyramid El Castillo, featuring laser strobe displays and a heart-pounding musical score. With a duration of about an hour, the colorful and entrancing show is narrated in Spanish, but you can obtain headsets which provide the soundtrack in a variety of other languages.
Kukulcan's Descent
The Spring Equinox (occurring in late March) is an especially important time in the calendar of events at Chichen Itza; for three days, the city hosts a variety of music, theater, and dancing. The centerpiece of this experience is the "Descent of Kukulcan" on the pyramid itself; during the late afternoon, triangle-shaped shadows are cast by the northwest corner of the pyramid, creating an effect that looks uncannily like a snake crawling down the side of the temple. Though there is no archaeological data to support the conjecture, many have assumed the intention of the pyramid's designers was to simulate the great feathered serpent god Kukulcan descending to earth.
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Active travel is a great way to explore the Mayan Ruins from Riviera Maya. Duende Tours offers awesome packages including Mayan ruins and activities like snorkeling, zip lining. For Best Spot in Birding See the Bird Watching for more information.
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Unknown - Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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