Mayan pyramids where is the height. Secrets and incredible facts about the Mayan pyramids. Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza
Ancient civilization Maya left a rich legacy of riddles and predictions. The famous calendar of the ancient tribe amazes the world's researchers and scientists with its monumental knowledge. The unique accuracy and deep meaning of the buildings of ancient cities cannot be explained to this day. The property of ancient eras is under strict protection to preserve the legendary heritage from destruction.
The Mayan pyramids are recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world. Many buildings are hidden under a layer of earth and tropical vegetation. Some structures are distinguished by their unusual structure and multi-layered nature. The most ancient buildings are located inside later superstructures. The dual structure can be represented by a combination of the creations of the Mayans and Aztecs.
Ancient cities and secrets of pyramid construction
The Mayan pyramids are located in several cities, representing the most significant and outstanding buildings. The capital of the Aztecs, the ancient city of Teotihuacan, is notable for two large buildings that have survived to this day. The construction of structures is dedicated to the heavenly bodies: the Sun and the Moon. The third building, the temple of the god Quetzalcoatl, is dedicated to the bright and good beginning.
The location of the objects fully corresponds to the placement of stars in the constellation Orion, which confirms astronomical knowledge ancient people. The Pyramid of the Sun reaches 65 meters in height. The structure dedicated to the Moon is more moderate in size and corresponds to an elevation of 42 meters. Architectural perfection was created without the use of special tools in the heart of the jungle.
The city of Chichen Itza has preserved human residential buildings and religious buildings. The city is home to the unique Pyramid of Kukulkan. The unusual stepped architecture distinguishes this Mayan structure from the ancient Egyptian geometry of the pyramids. Construction continued over the years, adding subsequent elements every 52 years.
Kukulcan is the embodiment of the ancient calendar and consists of nine huge platforms. The four staircases leading to the top are a symbol of the cardinal directions. There are 18 months in the Mayan calendar, so each staircase has the same number of flights. There are a total of 364 steps on four sides, 91 each.
Secrets of the Mayan pyramids
The main feature of the Kukulkan structure, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, is the intricate play of refraction of the sun's rays. An image of an evil snake with its mouth open appears on the steps. The unique spectacle takes place over three hours, allowing you to watch the movement of the illusion sliding from bottom to top. The design calculations are simply amazing, because the slightest deviation could destroy the amazing plan.
The pyramids located in the city of Chichen Itza have unusual acoustic properties. Inside the structure, the sounds of the tribe's sacred bird can be heard instead of the usual footsteps. Scientists claim that this effect is achieved due to a certain thickness of the walls. The area between the temples allows you to hear speech and communicate at a distance of 150 meters, completely hiding sounds from people standing nearby.
There is a well on the outskirts of the city natural origin. The diameter is quite impressive and corresponds to 60 meters; the depth remains a mystery to this day. Ancient heritage The Maya are distinguished by skillful decorative elements that decorate palaces, temples, pyramids and observatories.
The types of pyramid structures can be divided into two main types. The first option involved climbing to the top of the structure to perform sacrificial rituals. The second type did not imply the possibility of even touching, emphasizing the holiness of the structure. The doorways had no specific purpose and led to nowhere, the steps differed in overall dimensions. Ceremonies in such structures were performed by the kings of the tribe, who were considered the descendants of the gods.
A huge number of legends are associated with the construction of the Mayan pyramids, which surround the buildings with secrets and riddles. The structures acted as tombs, calendars and observatories. The variety of geometric designs of buildings implied the fulfillment of certain rituals and purposes. An amazing combination of style, religion, original forms and precise calculations strikes with the level of intelligence of an ancient civilization.
From material about the Mayan pyramids. The panorama and photo of the waterfall from a bird's eye view are truly impressive.
Many great civilizations existed on our planet, all of them made one or another contribution to the history and culture of mankind. Among the most famous are the Mayans, who created a unique writing, art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical system and then disappeared without a trace.
In several countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, outstanding Mayan architectural monuments have been preserved. Several of these amazing masterpieces are featured in our panoramas. This, for example, is the ancient city of Chichen Itza in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula - one of the most popular attractions in Mexico.
Presumably it was founded in the 7th century AD. e. - during the heyday of Mayan culture. Here in honor of Kukulkan - the supreme god of wind and rain, the “founder” of the royal dynasties and major cities- a 30-meter pyramid “Temple of Kukulkan” was erected (of the 30 m height, 24 is the pyramid, and 6 m is the temple on its top). The length of each side of the structure is 55 m, and each face of the temple has nine steps.
This is a masterpiece not only of architecture, but also of astronomy. Each of its four staircases has 91 steps, and their total number is 364. Together with the platform base at the top of the pyramid, which unites all four staircases, the number 365 is obtained - the number of days in the solar year. The number of sections on each side of the temple is also symbolic: the nine steps of the pyramid are cut in two by a staircase, which corresponds to the number of months in the Mayan calendar year (18). And 52 stone reliefs on each wall of the sanctuary symbolize one calendar cycle, including 52 years. At the top of the pyramid there is a small temple with four entrances, where sacrifices were made.
The Mayans imagined Kukulkan in the form of a feathered serpent with a human head, so every year on the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes in the temple dedicated to this deity you can see the feathered serpent with your own eyes. On March 20 and September 22, at approximately three o'clock in the afternoon, the sun's rays illuminate the western balustrade of the main staircase in such a way that light and shadow form an optical illusion: a 37-meter snake "crawling" as the sun moves towards its own head, carved into the base of the staircase. This unique natural and architectural show annually attracts thousands of spectators and makes Chichen Itza a famous landmark in Mexico and the whole world.
In addition to the Temple of Kukulcan, Chichen Itza has preserved seven “stadiums” for playing ball, a giant rectangle made from the remains of colonnades, a sacred well and many other interesting objects. The ancient city is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage, and in 2007 it was also included in the list of the new seven wonders of the world.
Palenque, Mayan city in Chiapas.
Unique pyramids in mexico are a real architectural miracle. They are large, majestic and very beautiful. Millions of travelers from different parts of the world come to America for only one thing - to see the legendary buildings that were built hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Mexico also attracts our compatriots; anyone can order what they are interested in sightseeing tour right now.
Palenque is an ancient Mayan city; visiting it is included in the 5-day itinerary.
Top facts about pyramids
There are many legends associated with the Mexican pyramids. Often, architectural structures did not serve as tombs and burial vaults for local rulers, but served as a place where the most important religious ceremonies were held. Here, large sacrifices were often carried out on the altar, in which not only animals, but also people became victims.
The Omelk tribes, representatives of the first major civilization in the territory, were the first to build such structures. ancient mexico. They designed the giant heads and jadeite masks. Later, only a couple of centuries later, the dawn of the Mayan civilization began. Some striking masterpieces ancient architecture have survived to this day. Popular among tourists are the majestic abandoned cities. Architectural style mayan pyramids has virtually no analogues.
Tulum is a Mayan port city.
Famous scientists tried to unravel the secrets of the ancient inhabitants of modern Central America. It was never possible to do this completely. Travelers listen with delight to various amazing legends.
Where are the Mayan pyramids in Mexico? There are several hundred similar buildings throughout the country, but only a few of them can be touched by everyone. Some cultural monuments are still hidden in the dense jungle.
The most popular pyramids
Teotikuan
This ancient “City of the Gods” (this is how the word “Teotikuan” is translated) can really be found 50 kilometers from largest metropolis in the country - Mexico City. The first stones were laid around the beginning of the first millennium. Already in the 5th century AD, more than 200,000 people lived here. Main cultural monument The settlement is considered to be the Pyramid of the Sun. This name was invented by the Aztecs, who saw an abandoned city in the 13th century. They believed that here the gods fed on the energy of the cosmos. Travelers have a unique opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful view. This pyramid is the third tallest in the world. Anyone can climb to its top.
Chichen Itza
Pyramids in Yucatan also very popular among tourists. The ancient city of Chichen Itza is located about 200 kilometers from the resort of Cancun. This village was founded in the 6th century, and after some time it became a real cultural and political center. Several architectural monuments that were found as a result of archaeological excavations open before the eyes of tourists. This city included in the list of the new seven wonders of the world. The most famous pyramid in Yucatan The temple building of Kulkan is considered to be. The height of the building is 24 meters, at the top there is a special place for various rituals. In ancient times, the building also served as a calendar.
The descent of the shadow of the serpent in Chichen Itza is visible only on the days of the equinox
Features of the best excursion programs
Mexico – this is an amazing land where, while traveling on Yucatan or to another region of the country, you will see how pyramids, and enjoy the unique local culture. The following tourist routes are very popular:
Mexico City and the Pyramids of Teotihuacan.
During the tour, you will visit the multi-million capital of Mexico, and then travel to the archaeological zone of Teotihuacan. For those coming to Mexico City for just a couple of days, this is an ideal option. The entire program will take only 8 hours.
"Bold Tour" in Mexico.
The duration of this adventure is two days. Tourists will enjoy the ancient city Chichen Itza, watch the life of animals in biosphere reserve Rio Lagartos, visit the colonial city of Merida and swim in the cool waters of Ik-Kil.
United Chichen Itza Program.
This tour allows tourists to see ancient cities Mayan, find out what it is Mexico from the inside, and also see the most popular attractions. You will visit the most Famous places on the Yucatan Peninsula. Among them are Chichen Itza, the lost village of Cobu, the port of Tulum and the underground lake Ik Kil. A trip like this will only take one day!
Useful information for tourists
You can order your favorite tour at any convenient time. Be sure to come to Mexico and visit our pyramids. You can ask any questions you are interested in and clarify all the necessary information on the website. Excursions are held weekly, book your spot and go on an amazing adventure!
Friends! If you have any questions - don't hesitate! - ask them in the comments below or write to me on social networks!
The most famous civilizations ancient America, which every educated person has heard of, are the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs. These peoples inhabited the territories of central Mexico (Aztecs), southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, western Honduras (Mayans) and western southern (Inca). The grandiose architectural structures of these ancient civilizations have survived to this day. The most famous of them are the pyramids of the American Mayan and Aztec tribes. The Incas, according to scientists, did not build pyramids, although they were able to erect structures of quite impressive size (such as the Sacsayhuaman fortress).
The Mayan and Aztec peoples inhabited America in different time. The Mayan civilization flourished in the 7th - 8th centuries, and the Aztecs in the 14th - 15th centuries. But both of these peoples were distinguished by a high level of development. They were building big cities, they used writing, and shipping was developed. The calendars of those times surprise with their accuracy. Religion occupied a special place among the Mayan and Aztec peoples. It is not without reason that the pyramids that they erected were used for various religious rites.
The exact age of the Mayan pyramids is unknown. These structures are made of rough-hewn stones, which are held together with a fairly strong mortar.
The slopes of the pyramids are steps, i.e. They were built in stages - on each platform the next, smaller one, was built. This process was quite lengthy.
One of the most famous pyramids is Kukulkan, named after the main god in the mythologies of the Mayan and Toltec tribes, who was depicted as a snake with a human head. It is located in the ancient city of Chichen Itza (Yucatan Peninsula). This structure is 25 meters high and has 9 platforms. The number 9 is not accidental; it symbolizes the regions of the kingdom of the dead. The pyramid is crowned by a temple. There are wide staircases on four sides, each of them has 91 steps, for a total of 364, which corresponds to the number of days in a year. The stairs themselves are divided into 18 flights - in the Mayan calendar there were exactly this number of months. The Pyramid of Kukulkan has four sides clearly facing south, north, west and east.
This particular pyramid is very popular among tourists. The thing is that twice a year a very unusual phenomenon can be observed on its surface. On the days of the equinox at 17:00, a huge image of a serpent begins to appear on the north side of the pyramid, becoming increasingly clear. This effect is achieved due to the sun's rays, and the illusion lasts about 3 hours.
Another pyramid was built in the city of Chichen Itza, the base of which measures 40 x 40 meters.
Another famous Mayan structure is . It is located on the territory ancient city Palenque, in Guatemala. The pyramid got its name because huge amount various drawings and hieroglyphs. Scientists are still trying to unravel the meaning of these inscriptions. Only in this pyramid was a tomb with a sarcophagus discovered, the surface of which was also covered with drawings and inscriptions. Before this discovery, it was believed that the Mayans did not use pyramids for burials. The remains of a man were discovered in the sarcophagus, who, apparently, occupied a high position in society.
There is another ancient city on the Yucatan Peninsula - Uxmal. This is where the famous . This is one of the most impressive buildings that has been left to us as a legacy from the Mayan tribes. The 38 m tall pyramid has a flat top. Its corners are rounded. This structure was built over many years. Archaeological research has shown that construction lasted from the sixth to the tenth centuries. There are 5 temples inside the pyramid - according to the number of construction stages.
The most famous Aztec pyramids
Perhaps the most impressive building of the Aztecs is pyramid of the sun, located on the site of the ancient city of Teotihuacan, near modern Mexico City. It ranks third in the world among ancient structures, ahead only of the Pyramid of Cholula, from Toltec times, and the Pyramid of Cheops, which is located in Egypt, near Cairo.
The Pyramid of the Sun previously rose 71 m high (currently 64.5 m), and the perimeter of the base of this grandiose structure is 893 m. About 3 million tons of stones were required for its construction. 300 years after the pyramid was built, a temple was erected on its top, which was destroyed even before the discovery of the city of Teotihuacan by the Spanish conquerors. Currently, many tourists visit the Pyramid of the Sun. To get to the very top, you have to overcome a difficult climb of 248 steps, which are distinguished by their steepness. But despite all the difficulties, there are many who want to rise to the very top. After all, if you believe the legends, this is where the so-called “place of power” is located. Thanks to positive energy flows, a person can find harmony and peace of mind.
In the north of Teotihuacan is . This is smaller than the Pyramid of the Sun - its height is 42 m. This five-tier pyramid is located on a small hill. A fairly wide staircase leads to the top - it is a continuation of the path called the Road of the Dead. During archaeological excavations in the Pyramid of the Moon, many remains and burials were discovered. Presumably, various rituals were performed on top of this structure.
Teotihuacan is home to the Citadel, a square that got its name thanks to the Spaniards. It is here that the Temple of the Feathered Serpent is located - a building built in the form of a pyramid. Its walls were decorated with stone ornaments that represented the heads of feathered snakes - from the western part they are well preserved to this day. The remains of animals that were sacrificed during rituals were discovered within the walls of this temple.
The pyramids of the American Mayan and Aztec tribes have not yet been fully studied. The mysteries associated with these structures will continue to attract scientists from all over the world for a long time.