Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Yucatan – Part 2 – Chichen Itza
The Chichen Itza pyramid is what most people envision when they think of Mayan ruins. It is truly a majestic complex, covering approximately 2 square miles. It consists of many structures, including the main pyramid (El Castillo/Templo de Kukulcán), the old ball court, the Temple of the Warriors, the Platform of the Skull, the Group of a Thousand Columns, and an Observatory. Chichen Itza was a powerful regional center for the Maya and one of their largest cities. It is now among the most visited sites in Mexico and the Castle has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The design of the structures is positively surprising. The most famous is the appearance of a shadow along the side of the steps of the Temple of Kukulcan at the spring and fall equinoxes. It looks like a snake slithering down the pyramid connecting to the stone carving of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent) at the bottom. Also, when a person in the field in front of the stairs claps, the sound of a bird (coatl) resounds from the pyramid while the sound of a serpent’s rattle (quetzal) resounds from the area of the Temple of the Warriors. Each of the 4 sides of the pyramid has 91 steps (representing a season) which add up to 364 plus the top step to equal 365 (representing a year).
Another architectural marvel is the 551 by 230 foot ball court. Due to the slight curve built into the 26-foot-high walls of the court, a whisper can clearly be heard from the other end. The number seven was sacred to the Mayans and is repeated many times at the site. There were seven players on a team, the hoop “goals” were seven meters high, and if you clap or shout on the pitch, the sound will resound exactly seven times. The captain of the winning team was sacrificed and there are carvings on the stone walls depicting the seven serpents that emerged from his neck. Beheading sounds like a strange reward, but the Mayans felt it was a true honor and thought they would ascend straight to heaven.
Be sure to visit the Cenote Sagrado (sacred sinkhole) for which Chichen Itza was named. The well is 200 feet in diameter and 90 feet to the surface of the water. Since this area of Mexico is a limestone plain, the cenotes flow into underground rivers. It was not only the main source of fresh water for the Maya, but also a ceremonial place. In the early 1900s, dredging was done and many bones of sacrificed victims and treasures were found. Due to dredging, the water flow has decreased and the cenote is now green with algae.
This massive Mayan site is a must if you are staying anywhere in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
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