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.
Templo de los Guerreros
The Temple of the Warriors is a huge stepped pyramid, which was built around another earlier structure called the Temple of Chac Mool. The building takes its name from the rows of fierce-looking warrior statues which are lined in smart formation in front of and to the flanks of the pyramid. A Chac Mool type statue, which depicts a reclining human figure, head turned to the side, holds a plate across his stomach that is theorized to have been used during the ritual sacrifices which took place on the pyramid's summit. Unfortunately, you can't scale the pyramid at this time due to an ongoing series of renovations, designed to the protect the structure for viewing by future generations. However, you can get as close to it as you like, and its size and meticulously decorated facade will surely leave you with a sense of genuine wonderment.
El Caracol
El Caracol, or "The Snail," is a round building constructed on top of a raised square platform. It takes its name from the spiral staircase located in the center of the dome. The construction of that kind of shape takes considerable skill and understanding of architectural principles and material properties; that it was built over a thousand years ago is a testament to the abilities and understanding possessed by the Maya on many levels. Not the least of their admirable traits on display at El Caracol is a now-famous interest in science and astronomy, as the shape of the building, coupled with the placement of its windows and doors (which appear designed to align with the movement certain astronomical bodies), suggests nothing so much as an observatory. If true, it would be one of the first ever constructed in the West, and one of the oldest 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.
The Famous Light and Sound Show
Those who visit Chichn Itz during the day are encouraged to return after dark; in fact, the same ticket used for daytime admission can be presented again at night in order to attend the light and sound extravaganza, held every evening at the great pyramid El Castillo. The show lasts for about an hour, and features a heart-pounding soundtrack and amazing light and laser visuals. The public narration is in Spanish, but for those who aren't fluent, headphones can be obtained which provide the same soundtrack in your language of choice.
The Descent of Kukulcan
In late March, the Spring Equinox marks an especially significant period in the event calendar at Chichen Itza. A three-day festival of theater, music, and dancing celebrates the change of the seasons, and the highlight of the festival is the "Descent of Kukulcan" at the great pyramid El Castillo. During late afternoon, a peculiar phenomenon can be witnessed, where triangular shadows cast by the northwest corner of the structure seem to crawl down one face of the pyramid. The effect is eerily similar to a snake slithering down the side of the temple, and though there isn't any archaeological evidence to back up the conjecture, many suppose that the ingenious builders of the pyramid had this purpose in mind when the building was planned and constructed.
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.
Templo de los Guerreros
The Temple of the Warriors is a huge stepped pyramid, which was built around another earlier structure called the Temple of Chac Mool. The building takes its name from the rows of fierce-looking warrior statues which are lined in smart formation in front of and to the flanks of the pyramid. A Chac Mool type statue, which depicts a reclining human figure, head turned to the side, holds a plate across his stomach that is theorized to have been used during the ritual sacrifices which took place on the pyramid's summit. Unfortunately, you can't scale the pyramid at this time due to an ongoing series of renovations, designed to the protect the structure for viewing by future generations. However, you can get as close to it as you like, and its size and meticulously decorated facade will surely leave you with a sense of genuine wonderment.
El Caracol
El Caracol, or "The Snail," is a round building constructed on top of a raised square platform. It takes its name from the spiral staircase located in the center of the dome. The construction of that kind of shape takes considerable skill and understanding of architectural principles and material properties; that it was built over a thousand years ago is a testament to the abilities and understanding possessed by the Maya on many levels. Not the least of their admirable traits on display at El Caracol is a now-famous interest in science and astronomy, as the shape of the building, coupled with the placement of its windows and doors (which appear designed to align with the movement certain astronomical bodies), suggests nothing so much as an observatory. If true, it would be one of the first ever constructed in the West, and one of the oldest 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.
The Famous Light and Sound Show
Those who visit Chichn Itz during the day are encouraged to return after dark; in fact, the same ticket used for daytime admission can be presented again at night in order to attend the light and sound extravaganza, held every evening at the great pyramid El Castillo. The show lasts for about an hour, and features a heart-pounding soundtrack and amazing light and laser visuals. The public narration is in Spanish, but for those who aren't fluent, headphones can be obtained which provide the same soundtrack in your language of choice.
The Descent of Kukulcan
In late March, the Spring Equinox marks an especially significant period in the event calendar at Chichen Itza. A three-day festival of theater, music, and dancing celebrates the change of the seasons, and the highlight of the festival is the "Descent of Kukulcan" at the great pyramid El Castillo. During late afternoon, a peculiar phenomenon can be witnessed, where triangular shadows cast by the northwest corner of the structure seem to crawl down one face of the pyramid. The effect is eerily similar to a snake slithering down the side of the temple, and though there isn't any archaeological evidence to back up the conjecture, many suppose that the ingenious builders of the pyramid had this purpose in mind when the building was planned and constructed.
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