Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city in Mexico, home to the famous Mayan pyramids and temples. Mexico. The terribly beautiful pyramids of Chichen Itza Chichen Itza brief description
In the north of the Mexican Yucatan, the largest center of the Mayan people was once located - Chichen Itza. The city, roughly translated as “The Mouth of the Well of the Itza Tribe,” was founded in the 7th century AD. In the 10th century, the Toltec army captured this city-state and formed its capital here. In 1178, the city was captured by neighboring city-states, and from 1194 it fell into complete desolation. No one can now say what caused the residents to leave. The Spaniards who came here in the 16th century only came across the ruins of Chichen Itza.
Excavations carried out in our time on the site of this ancient city have made it possible to find many interesting architectural monuments from the culture of that time. One of the most famous was the Temple of Kukulkan, which is a 9-step pyramid. Another interesting building- Temple of Warriors on a 4-step pyramid, decorated with paintings. Stadiums for brutal ball games, a 50-meter well for sacrifices, a sacred cenote, and an observatory with statues of local gods were also discovered.
Ball ring at the stadium
Interestingly, the land with these structures was in private hands until 2010. But competent actions of the government allowed it to be returned to the state for $17.8 million. The ancient Mayan city is very popular among tourists. A monument of this scale, of course, was taken under the control of UNESCO. And in 2007, it was awarded the title of one of the new wonders of the world.
Temple of Kukulcan at Chichen Itza
Main interesting architectural buildings in Chichen Itza were built during the so-called Mexican period - the time after the capture of the city by the Toltecs. It was then built main temple Mayan city - Temple of Kukulkan. The temple was dedicated to the Toltec god Kukulcan, whom they called the Feathered Serpent.
The temple, due to its expressiveness and popularity, has become a symbol of all of Mexico. This 24-meter nine-step pyramid has been seen by every inhabitant of our planet at least once in their life.
The building has a square plan and a massive appearance. It is not surprising that the Spaniards who came here called it a castle. The temple is set on a huge terrace (18 hectares) along with many other famous buildings Chichen Itzi. On the right is the temple of the Warriors, on the left is the temple of the Jaguars.
Four staircases, oriented according to the cardinal directions, lead to the top of the temple. The stairs are accompanied by a balustrade starting from a snake's head. On the days of the equinox, the lighting creates an interesting effect: it seems as if the Kukulcan Serpent is beginning to crawl out of its lair.
Snake Head
In addition to its orientation to the cardinal points, the temple is also distinguished by other astronomical details. Each staircase has 91 steps, which gives a total of 364. And if we add the upper platform to this number, we get the total number of days in the year - 365. The nine main steps of the pyramid are separated by a staircase, which actually doubles them to 18. With the number 18 is associated with the number of months in a year among the Mayans. Each wall depicts 52 reliefs - the number of years in the calendar cycle.
On top of this great pyramid there is the temple itself with four entrances. The main entrance to the sanctuary is to the north. There are two columns depicting snakes. Inside there are two more pairs of the same. In ancient times, it was here that terrible human sacrifices were performed.
Temple of Kukulcan building
An interesting fact will be the presence of another similar nine-step pyramid in main pyramid. The entrance to it was found relatively recently, and it was here that the symbol of Mayan power was hidden - the Jaguar Mat.
Jaguar Throne
The Jaguar Mat is the ruler's throne, carved from stone, resembling the shape of a jaguar. The throne is inlaid with 73 jade discs in the shape of jaguar spots. The eyes of the beast are filled with them. The first owners of the throne include Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, the founder of the Toltecs.
Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza
Another famous temple of the city of Chichen Itza is located to the right of the Kukulkan pyramid. The Temple of the Warriors is also located on the pyramid, the approaches to which are guarded by a detachment of patterned columns.
This structure completely copies the Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Tollan. The Toltec leader Topiltzin Quetzalcoatla, before uniting the tribes and carrying out major conquests, lost this city. So that in the new place many things would remind him of his former glory, and a copy of this temple was built.
In front of the temple staircase there are 60 patterned columns 2.6 meters high, arranged in four rows. Previously, there was a roof on these columns, of which now, alas, nothing remains. Everywhere in the temple there are images of warriors - hence its name. Just like in all Toltec temples, human sacrifices were made here.
The pyramid of this temple is smaller - only 11.5 meters and consists of five steps. The balustrades of the central staircase are decorated with stone male figures. The top is decorated with the temple itself, which consists of two rooms - the front hall and the sanctuary itself. The entrance to the sanctuary is decorated with the already familiar columns with snakes. The sanctuary contains an altar for sacrifices, supported by human figures. Nearby stands the idol of the demon Chak-Mool, holding a dish on which the priests threw people's hearts. There are not so cruel assumptions from researchers about this idol. Some also believe that the dish is used for offerings in the form of intoxicating drinks, and that the idol itself is the god of rain or the guardian of the temple.
Chichen Itza – ancient city Maya, located in the northern part of Yucatan, 120 km east of Merida and 185 km west of Cancun. The city is believed to have been founded in the 5th-6th centuries and was one of largest cities Mayan. The city flourished in the 8th-9th centuries.
The name of the city is translated from the Mayan language as “Mouth of the Well of the Itza Tribe” (“chi” in the Mayan language means mouth, “chen” means well, “Itza” is the name of the Mayan tribe or group, which, according to legend, was the first to appear on this land) . This is due to the fact that on the territory of the city there are two large sources of clean water - natural karst wells that do not dry out throughout the year, which is very important for the inhabitants of the arid Yucatan.
Chichen Itza became the capital and most significant political and ceremonial center of the Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula in the eighth century. In the 10th century, the Toltec army captured this city-state and formed its capital here. In 1178, the city was captured by neighboring city-states, and since 1194 it has fallen into complete desolation. No one can now say what caused the residents to leave. The Spaniards who came here in the 16th century only came across the ruins of Chichen Itza.
Nowadays there are many buildings on the territory of the city, in particular, famous pyramids Chichen Itza. The most prominent among them is the pyramid of Kukulcan (El Castillo). Kukulkan is one of the supreme deities in Mayan mythology. He was considered the god of wind and water, fire and air, the founder of royal dynasties and large cities. The Mayans believed that Kukulkan taught them fishing, invented writing and a calendar for them, and invented ceremonies. In the end, the cult of Kukulkan became a kind of cult of the nobility; only noble youths were sacrificed to Kukulkan, and in an extremely solemn atmosphere.
The main incarnation of Kukulkan was a feathered serpent, he was also depicted as an eagle, a jaguar, in the form of blood, as a snail shell, and finally as a flute made of bones. The Pyramid of Kukulkan is located in the center of a terrace of about 18 hectares and is surrounded by a wide stone parapet. Its height is 24 meters and 6 meters is the height of the temple at the top where sacrifices were made to Kukulkan. The length of each of its sides is 55 meters, each face of the temple has 9 steps. Leading from all four sides from the base to the top of the pyramid are four steep stairs, oriented to the cardinal points. The stairs are bordered by a stone balustrade, which begins at the bottom with the head of the serpent and continues in the form of a curving serpentine body to the top of the pyramid.
Each of the four staircases of the temple has 91 steps, and their total number is 364. Together with the platform at the top of the pyramid, which unites all four staircases, the number 365 is obtained - the number of days in a leap year. The number of sections on each side of the temple (9 steps of the pyramid are cut in two by a staircase) is also symbolic - 18, which corresponds to the number of months in the Mayan calendar year. The nine ledges of the temple correspond to the nine levels of the underworld.
The Mayan calendar consisted of two parallel cycles: the ritual Tzolk'i'in (Tzolk'i'in) period of 260 days and the civil 365-day Haab period, which underlay agricultural work and Everyday life Indians The Mayans combined the two calendars into what they called the “calendar circle.” Thus, any date was composed of elements of both calendars. Dates in the “calendar circle” were repeated only after 52 years. 52 stone reliefs located on each wall of the sanctuary symbolize one calendar circle.
Every year, on the days of the autumn and spring equinox, you can watch the unique spectacle of the “Feathered Serpent”. During sunset, the shadow from the corner of the stepped terraces of the pyramid falls on the stones of the balustrade. At the same time, it seems that the Feathered Serpent comes to life and crawls, in March - up, and in September - down.
The acoustics of the temple are so perfect that from its top you can speak in a calm voice that will be heard throughout the area. The sound of footsteps on the outer stairs of the pyramid is transformed inside it into the sounds of falling raindrops. If you clap your hands at a certain distance from the pyramid, the echo responds with the voice of the quetzal bird, sacred to the Mayans. The sacred quetzal bird represented the Mayan spirit, and the echo was the voice of the spirits. It is believed that this is why the echo of the spirit of the Temple of Kukulcan speaks with the voice of the quetzal.
To the right of the Kakulkan pyramid is the Temple of the Warriors, located on a five-step pyramid 11.5 m high with one staircase. The staircase is framed by balustrades, at the top of which male figures carved from stone stand and sit on the upper platform of the pyramid. In ancient times, during festivals and ceremonies, banners were placed in their hands.
In front of the entrance to the sanctuary there is a sculpture of Chak Mool, depicting a reclining man with his head held high, turned to the side and holding a dish on his stomach. The purpose of Chac-Mool is not completely clear. It is believed that this was a sacrificial altar for collecting donations and offering gifts to the gods, perhaps even in the form of human hearts.
In front of the staircase leading to the top of the pyramid to the sanctuary, there are four rows of 60 carved columns, 2.6 meters high, on which images of jubilant Toltec warriors are carved, and none of the reliefs repeats the other. Initially, these columns supported a massive roof, but now not a trace remains of it. The name of the Temple of Warriors was given by numerous reliefs and paintings inside and outside the temple. This temple served as a place for traditional human sacrifices.
Another famous attraction of Chichen Itza is the El Caracol Observatory (El Caracol, translated as “Snail Shell”), so named because of the internal spiral staircase leading to the upper dome. El Caracol was built before 904 AD, during the peak period of the Mayan civilization. Square windows in the cylindrical tower are aimed at the points of sunrise and sunset on the days of the winter and summer solstice, spring and autumn equinox.
Astronomers believe that the observatory at Chichen Itza was built to monitor the activity of Venus, which was of particular importance to the Mayans. They believed that Venus was the planet of war and the sister of the god of wisdom, Kukulcan. Scientists have discovered marks at El Caracol indicating that the Mayans accurately calculated the 584-day cycle of Venus.
Osario means "cemetery" in Spanish. Like El Castillo, it is a step pyramid with a temple on top, but on a smaller scale. Like its larger neighbor, it has four sides with stairs on each side. But unlike El Castillo, there is a pyramid hole in the center leading to a cave 12 meters deep below ground level. Herbert Thompson excavated this cave at the end of the 19th century, found several skeletons and artifacts, and named it the Tomb of the High Priest (Tumba del Gran Sacerdote). Archaeologists today believe that the structure was neither a tomb nor a burial place for priests. But scientists have not come to a final conclusion.
Chichen Itza has nine ball courts. The largest of them is located behind the Kukulkan pyramid. Its length is 166 meters and its width is 68 meters. Seats for spectators are located on elevated platforms. The ball game was called Pok-ta-pok and was an important cult ritual to ensure fertility. Historians still argue about the origin of the game: some believe that it was invented by the Mayans, others give primacy to the Toltecs or even the Olmecs.
The site is located on the south-north line, with a deviation to the east, as it was oriented towards the sacred well. It is framed by vertical walls 12 meters high with stone rings fixed on them at a height of about 8 meters, through which a rubber ball weighing from 2 to 4 kg had to be thrown.
The diameter of the hole in the ring was slightly larger than the size of the ball. The field was divided in half and the players of each team had to be in their own half of the field.
It was impossible to touch the ball with your hands or feet, only with your hips, buttocks, elbows, knees, passing from one end to the other to score points and trying to get into one of the stone rings. For hitting the ring, victory was awarded immediately, since it was not only incredibly difficult, but, most importantly, it was believed that in this way a connection was established with the deity in whose honor the game was played. And each hit on the ring itself was counted as a penalty point. Since it was extremely difficult to get into the hoop, the game could last for hours, and sometimes the result was determined by the number of penalty points, since not one of the teams managed to get the ball into the hoop. The players wore special protective equipment that softened the impact of the ball - a leather hip belt and knee pads. The ball in the game imitated the symbolic struggle of “Day and Night” of the Lower World with the Gods of Heaven.
It is assumed that the game ended with a ritual sacrifice - the team captain was beheaded. Judging by the bas-reliefs, the captain of the winning team was sacrificed, whose heart was first torn out, then his head was cut off. There are still disputes about who was sacrificed to the gods - the captain of the winning or losing team. Most believe that the captain of the winning team was sacrificed, since only the best are given to the gods, as was the case with warriors.
The venue has a unique acoustic effect - if you speak at one end of the venue, you can hear everything at the other.
To the right of the ball field is the Temple of Skulls (Tzompantli), a T-shaped platform whose walls are covered with relief images of skulls.
The stone wall of Tzompantli was the basis for wooden frames on which the skulls of killed enemies and those sacrificed were hung. The name of this complex is given in the Nahual language - the language of the Indians of Central Mexico, where such structures were often found.
A road made of stones leading north from the Caculcan pyramid leads to the sacrificial sacred cenote. The cenote is 82 meters deep, 60 meters in diameter, and 20 meters from the edge of the cenote to the water.
This natural round well with walls made of karst sediments and water of a green hue served as a place of ritual worship of the rain god for more than 1000 years. The color of the water in the well is due to the specific local flora and mud deposits at the bottom. The Mayans believed that the rain god lived in the watery depths, and during droughts they brought human sacrifices here. It was believed that the cenote was a kind of portal through which one could get to God.
After certain ceremonies, the priests sent the “chosen ones” to meet God and watched the victim for a long time, so that she would not be on the surface of the water, helping her go to God with the help of stones. Taking into account the fact that there was a considerable distance from the surface of the water to the bottom and that the priests were closely watching to ensure that the victim would definitely get to the god, it was almost impossible to get out of the cenote. The only known Indian who somehow escaped from the Sacred Cenote is considered to be Hunak Keel. Subsequently, under his leadership in 1178, Chichen Itza was captured.
Harvard University professor and American Consul in Merida, Herbert Thompson explored the Sacred Cenote from 1904 to 1910 and recovered many ancient artifacts from gold, jade, ceramics, rubber, obsidian, as well as human remains. Subsequently, most of the discovered finds ended up in the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology at Harvard University.
Mayan Indians ball game (fragment of the evening show)
Kukulkan: the right part of the pyramid has been restored, the left has not been restored Caracol - ancient Observatory
Chichen Itza is a city of the Mayan civilization, well preserved from antiquity, built in accordance with the religious beliefs of this people. We can immediately say that all Mayan cities were built taking into account the positions of the heavenly bodies and stars.
Once upon a time, the city of Chichen Itza was the center of culture of several Indian peoples. Its name is translated as “place at the well of the Itza tribe.” Peoples such as the Mayans, Toltecs, and Itzas left their mark on the city of Chichen Itza.
Now this city in Mexico is the object of the world cultural heritage UNESCO.
Where is Chichen Itza located?
This seventh wonder of the world is located in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The ancient city of Chichen Itza is 205 kilometers away from famous resort Cancun and 120 kilometers from Merida. Very close to it (1.5 kilometers) is the small town of Piste.
Popularity of the ancient city
Chichen Itza is one of the most popular places in Yucatan and Mexico in general. It is in second place in terms of attendance among ancient cities, ahead of only Teotihuacan ().
It is estimated that the number of tourists who visit this archaeological complex exceeds a million per year. A huge influx was observed here in December 2012, because it was at this time that the Mayan calendar was supposed to end. Many people wanted to spend the end of the world in the archaeological complex of Chichen Itza.
Currently, you can come to Chichen Itza on a 1-day excursion from both Cancun and Merida.
City `s history
The beginning of the city's history dates back to the 6th century AD. Then it was one of the largest cities of the Mayan civilization. The southern part of the ancient city was built in accordance with the traditions of the Mayan people.
In the 10th century, the city was dominated after its capture by the Toltecs, who arrived here from Central Mexico. Subsequently, from about half of the 11th century, Chichen Itza became the capital and center of the Toltec state.
Blood sacrifices began here precisely because of these people. All Northern part cities testifies to their presence. A century later, the city was defeated by a huge army, which included warriors from three states - Uxmal, Mayapan, Itzmal.
Chichen Itza was defeated by the ruler Hunak Keel. Subsequently, the city was deserted and turned into ruins (this is how Europeans discovered it).
Many treasures were stolen by the Spaniards and the manuscripts were destroyed.
Therefore, very little can be said about history, but it is assumed that if not for the actions of Europeans, archaeologists could have discovered many unique finds. In 1923, archaeological excavations began in Mexico, and now about 6 square kilometers of the ancient city are on the surface.
Pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza
The very first structure that stands out is the huge Pyramid of Kukulkan. It is the center of the city of Chichen Itza. In Spanish it is called El Castillo, that is, “the castle.”
The total height of the Kukulkan pyramid is 24 meters. The pyramid has nine tiers, and at the very top there is a temple.
Kukulkan, like any pyramid, has 4 faces, which are directed to the 4 cardinal directions. And on each side there is a wide staircase, which is decorated with snake heads at the bottom.
The path leads to the main northern staircase of the pyramid. To get to the top you must overcome a certain number of steps - there are 91 of them.
It is interesting that the total number of steps on the pyramid, including the upper platform, is 365, that is, the exact number of days in a year.
This coincidence suggests that this pyramid may have some relation to the calendar or may have astronomical significance.
At the very top there is a temple where sacrifices were made in ancient times.
Research has shown that the large pyramid was built on top of even more ancient pyramid, into which a hole in the floor of the sanctuary leads.
In the hidden chambers of the Kukulkan pyramid, archaeologists discovered two main antiquities: the “Jaguar Mat” and the figure of Chaak Mool, the god of rain.
- "Jaguar Mat"- is a stone throne in the shape of a jaguar, the paint on it is fiery red, this is a symbol of the power of the ruler of the city. According to legend, the very first owner of this throne was Quetzalcoatl. The spots on the animal's body and the animal's eyes are made of jade. The fangs are carved from volcanic stone.
- - made for ritual purposes. On her stomach there is a flat bowl on which the victim's heart was placed for subsequent burning.
The second name of the Kukulkan structure is the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent (the most correct translation: feathered serpent). Firstly, this pyramid and temple are dedicated to this deity. Secondly, the name is associated with a specific phenomenon.
Light illusion of Kukulcan - the play of shadows on the edges of the pyramid
Every year around the time of the equinox there is an event that attracts people to Mexico. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the pyramid is illuminated so that the stairs cast a shadow - a series of triangles, which together resemble a snake's tail.
As the star moves in the sky, the triangles fade out one by one, thus creating the feeling that it is the tail of a huge snake, 37 meters long, moving down.
Now this phenomenon can be seen not only on certain days, every evening there is a light show.
Kukulkan: the right part of the pyramid has been restored, the left has not been restored
Find out more about the Pyramid of Kukulkan on our website -
Temples of the ancient city of Chichen Itza
The Temple of the Warriors and the Temple of the Jaguars are important buildings in the city of Chichen Itza. Both stand on small pyramids with 4 steps. Both have many paintings.
Temple of Warriors
The Temple of the Warriors is located on the western side of the Kikulkan Pyramid. It has four platforms, and on three sides around it you can see rows of three-meter stone columns. They are called the "Group of a Thousand Columns".
The pillars are skillfully carved from stone, and represent Toltec warriors, as if standing in formation. Once upon a time they supported the roof.
On the south side of the temple there is a small building called “Market”.
The upper sanctuary also once had a roof, but now it is gone, and at the top there are two “snakes” that guarded the passage to the temple.
On the platform there is also a statue of a man in a reclining position. This is Chaak Mool - the god of rain.
The Temple of the Jaguar has two sanctuaries: an upper and a lower one. At the top, the elite watched the game on the field.
At the entrance to the lower sanctuary you can see the figure of a jaguar, thanks to which the temple received its name.
Another structure is called the Temple or tomb of the great priest. During Mayan times it played an important role.
Externally, the structure is similar to other temples with pyramids. But its difference is that inside there is a passage to a cave underground. Ancient burials of noble people were discovered there.
The second name of this structure is Osuari, in other words a crypt.
Other attractions
In addition to the temples, the city of Chichen Itza has other interesting places.
The Sacred Cenote is a huge well. Its diameter is approximately 60 meters, and the depth of the well is 50 meters. There is water in it, from the edge to its surface about 20 meters.
The well served as the place where young girls were thrown for sacrifice. Therefore, the second name of this object is the Well of Death.
Ball fields
On the territory of the archaeological complex there are 9 ball fields. This game was somewhat similar to modern basketball, only it was played with a heavy rubber ball, which could only be hit with the hip. Instead of ordinary baskets, stone rings are attached to the walls.
The sites found are quite large, the largest is located in the northern part of the complex. Its dimensions are: length - 160 meters, width - 70. The entire field is surrounded by eight-meter walls, they depict scenes of torment of losing players and many skulls.
Karakol Tower - ancient Observatory
Another ancient building- Karakol. This is a tower on two platforms, it was used for observing celestial astronomical objects. It is often called the Observatory.
Karakol - Ancient Observatory
No one knows why one of the most developed Mayan cities, Chichen Itza, was deserted in the twelfth century: the policy of the Spanish conquistadors was aimed at the complete destruction of paganism, providing for the burning of manuscripts and the murder of priests who might have been able to tell something about the mysterious past of their people. Therefore the memory of this amazing city Mexico has reached us only in stones.
Chichen Itza on the map is located in Mexico, 120 km southeast of Merida, the capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, and is currently not only one of the most famous cities of the Mayan period, but also, not without reason, it is considered a new wonder of the world.
Previously, this settlement was called differently - “Uukil-abnal” (“Seven Bushes”). Chichen Itza received its current name a little later, when the fame of the well in which sacrifices were carried out spread throughout the surrounding areas, as a result of which the city was renamed “Well of the Itza Tribe”: “chi” meant “mouth”, “chen” - “well” " and "itsa" - this was the name of one of the Mayan tribes that founded the settlement.
The city of Chichen Itza was quite large at that time: its area was about 10 square meters. km. Despite the fact that only ruins remain of most of the buildings, some structures (mostly of a religious nature) have been preserved well and are of great interest not only to scientists and researchers, but also to many inhabitants of our planet.
Researchers divide the life of this amazing wonder of the world in Mexico into two stages.
Mayan culture period (VI-VII centuries)
Uukil-abnal was founded by representatives of the Mayan tribe, who arrived on the peninsula from the south of the continent, according to one version in the middle of the 5th century, according to another - two centuries later. Since the Mayans were very well versed in astronomy, Chichen Itza was built taking into account the position of various astronomical bodies in the sky, which played an important role in their beliefs and traditions (and for this purpose they even built an observatory in the city).
Residents of the city were considered excellent craftsmen and skilled artists (as evidenced by the found sculptures of gods, various crafts, as well as bas-reliefs with floral and geometric patterns).
Toltec period (X-XI centuries)
In the tenth century, Chichen Itza came under the rule of the Toltecs (one of the tribes of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic group), as a result of which the number of inhabitants increased sharply, presumably to 20-30 thousand people.
The culture of this people could not but influence both the architecture of the city and its religion: the Toltecs practiced frequent human sacrifices, an example of which is the well at the bottom of which it was found great amount human remains are mainly men and children.
However, the Toltecs did not stay here long: they left the city after the defeat of their army in 1178. And fourteen years later, Chichen Itza was completely abandoned by the inhabitants, began to collapse, and by the time the Spaniards appeared in Mexico, only ruins remained from it.
Acoustics of Chichen Itza
All buildings in Chichen Itza are located in such a way that they create an amazing acoustic effect, amplifying the sound many times over. This is especially noticeable in the stadium of the ancient Toltecs: if people who were in temples located on opposite sides of the field wanted to talk to each other, they could calmly do so without fear that anyone would hear them (of course, if they were not standing next to )!
This “telephone” effect was discovered by chance and what knowledge should have been possessed local residents To achieve it, scientists are not yet able to explain.
The most remarkable Mayan buildings
All the main buildings of Chichen Itza are located on the largest square, in the center of which the temple of the main deity of the city, Kukulcan, was erected.
Pyramid
The most remarkable building of Chichen Itza is the famous pyramid of Kukulkan, the feathered serpent, the supreme god of winds and rains. It was erected on the foundation of an earlier structure. The height of the pyramid is 30 meters, the length of each side is 55 m. Each side of the pyramid is oriented towards one of the cardinal directions.
The pyramid has nine tiers. At the top there is a temple 6 meters high - sacrifices were made on it. You can climb to the temple by one of four staircases, each of which widens upward, creating the optical illusion of a completely flat staircase.
These stairs divide each side of the pyramid in two - thus, the number of tiers on each side is eighteen in total (that is how many months the Mayan calendar year has). Each staircase has 91 steps. Scientists have noticed: if their number is multiplied by the number of stairs and the top floor is added, it turns out 365 - that’s exactly how many days a calendar year has.
This pyramid is notable for the fact that during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the god himself, Kukulkan, crawls along it, thereby showing people a real miracle.
The rays of the sun fall on one of the sides of the Kukulkan temple so that, thanks to the play of light and shadow, seven equilateral triangles appear on it. These figures form the body of a huge snake 37 m long, which, as the sun moves, crawls down the pyramid to its head, located at the base of the stairs. You can watch the movement of this wonder of the world for 3 hours and 22 minutes.
Inside the pyramid, archaeologists found several secret rooms, one of which contained a throne carved from stone in the shape of a jaguar, painted orange (Jaguar Mat).
The eyes and spots of the beast are made of jade, and the claws of the ancient craftsmen were carved from volcanic stone. Here a figure was discovered, which archaeologists later named Chak Mool.
It depicts a man holding a dish with gifts intended for the gods, and is located opposite the door leading to the Temple of the Warriors and, judging by the deciphered records, was a symbol of Chichen Itza.
Temple of Warriors
The Temple of Warriors is located on the west side central square and was erected on a low four-tier pyramid, the base of which was 40 x 40 m. On the walls of the temple you can see images of sacred animals carved from stone, and it is crowned with the figure of the main god of the city, Kukulkan.
Inside the structure there are several spacious halls, and the entrance is decorated with massive columns in the shape of snakes, the heads of which are located below and the tails point to the sky. Behind the snakes are four giants (Atlas), holding a stone altar.
Colonnades
Near the Temple of Warriors you can see a platform with four rows of columns, each of which is three meters long. Each column is decorated with carved images of Indian warriors (because of this, the nearby temple got its name). According to some scientists, in earlier times a reed roof was installed on these pillars, under which the city's bazaar was located.
Karakol Observatory
Chichen Itza had its own observatory - a round building rising on a double stone platform with small windows through which the priests had the opportunity to observe the starry sky. Inside the observatory there is a spiral staircase resembling a shell, which is why the building got its name (“Karakol” means “snail”).
Ball courts
In the ancient city there were about 12 courts intended for playing ball (pot-ta-pok). The largest of them was built no later than 864 AD, was 135 m long, 68 m wide, and the height of its walls was 12 meters (while the rings where the Mayans had to throw the ball were fixed at a level of eight meters).
On each side of the stadium there were four temples, each of which was oriented towards a certain side of the world.
The Indians played with a rubber ball weighing about four kilograms - they could hit it with a stone bat, and touch it with any part of the body except arms and legs. This game was hard, cruel, lasted several hours (the rings were located high enough to be easily hit) and ended with sacrifices: the captain of the losing team was beheaded right in the stadium, sacrificing to the Sun God.
How the entire process of the game took place can be judged by the scenes carved into the bas-reliefs of the stadium (for example, here you can see a beheaded player, near whom his executioner raises his severed head).
Well
Another attraction for which Chichen Itza became famous and in honor of which the city received its name is a natural well about 50 meters deep that was used for sacrifices. You can get to it along a three-hundred-meter paved road, the width of which is ten meters.
The well is amazing in its size:
- The diameter of the well is 60 meters;
- Depth - 82 meters;
- The water begins at a depth of 20 meters from the edge.
This well was sacred: people were thrown into it. Despite the fact that in earlier times it was believed that this fate befell the young beautiful girls, divers, having descended to the bottom, refuted this hypothesis, lifting from the bottom about 50 skeletons, belonging mainly to men and children. Why exactly they were sacrificed - Chichen Itza still reliably keeps this secret.