What people built the city of Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city in Mexico where the famous Mayan pyramids and temples are located.

Translated from the language of local tribes, "Chichen Itza" means "The mouth of the well of the Itza tribe" or "The mouth of the well of water sorcerers." Chichen Itza is an object world heritage UNESCO, and the pyramid of El Castillo (Kukulkan) located here, has been declared one of the new seven wonders of the world. Chichen Itza is the most famous and at the same time the best preserved ancient city Yucatan.

In Mexico legendary city is the second most visited by tourists among the ancient sights. It is estimated that more than a million people devote it every year. The most numerous influx of tourists is celebrated twice a year, on the days of the spring (March 21-22) and autumn equinox (September 21-22). These days there is a play of light and shadow, when at sunset the shadow from the corner of the stepped terraces of the pyramid of El Castillo creates the illusion of a crawling snake. These days, so many people gather in Chichen Itza that it is unlikely that you will be able to clearly see the play of light and shadow. A week before and a week after these dates, the effect of light and shadow remains almost the same.

However, recently, due to the huge attendance of Chichen Itza, many note that the ancient city has become such a tourist and commercialized center that during its visit there is no way to feel the magic ancient culture due to the crowds of tourists and souvenir sellers located on the territory of the complex. Chichen Itza was most famous in the world in 2012, when, according to the Mayan calendar, on December 21, the end of the world was supposed to come. A huge number of people from different countries rushed to Mexico in Chichen Itza to meet a significant date. Some TV companies broadcast live from the scene. The cost of one night in some hotels located near the archaeological complex reached several thousand dollars. In order to catch Chichen Itza without crowds of tourists, it is better to come to the opening of the complex by 8 in the morning, when excursion groups have not arrived yet.

Chichen Itza map

The land on which Chichen Itza is located was transferred to state ownership on March 30, 2010. On this day, the deal was completed, after negotiations between Governor Yvonne Ortega Pacheco and landowner Hans Jurgen Thies Barbachano, to purchase the 83-hectare land on which the ancient city is located, for $ 17.8 million. It was reported that the landowner himself insisted on selling, in order to preserve the legacy of the Yucatan.

Story

It is not possible to completely reliably describe the history of Chichen Itza, since the policy of the Spanish conquerors included the destruction of manuscripts and the murder of Mayan priests. It is believed that people settled this place in the 4th century, and in the 7th century the first buildings began to be built and an urban community appeared. Maya Indians lived here from the 7th to the 10th century. In the 10th century, it was captured by the Toltecs, who did not destroy the city, but absorbed part of its culture into themselves. It was during the reign of the Toltecs that Chichen Itza became the most mighty city, in the Yucatan Peninsula. In the middle of the 11th century, Chichen Itza became the capital of the Toltec state. In 1178, the city was captured by the combined army of three city-states - Mayapan, Ushmal and Itzmal, led by Hunak Keel. After 1194, the city was completely deserted for unknown reasons and overgrown with jungle.
Reopened to the world mysterious city archaeologists in 1920. The ancient structures were cleared and reconstructed, and the archaeological complex began to attract tourists.

Chichen Itza attractions

Unfortunately, since the beginning of 2006, climbing the ancient structures is prohibited, with the exception of a few specially marked places.
Pyramid of El Castillo (Pyramid of Kukulkan)

The main attraction of Chichen Itza is the pyramid of El Castillo and this is no accident. When Chichen Itza was conquered by the Toltecs, they combined their knowledge of cosmology with that of the Maya, resulting in El Costillo. The pyramid is dedicated to Kukulkan, the god of wind and rain in the form of a feathered serpent with a human head. Built a thousand years ago, El Castillo is the main symbol of Chichen Itza and possibly the entire Yucatan. This is one of the most famous and visited structures in Mexico in pre-Columbian America. In 2007, the monument was included in the list of new seven wonders of the world.
The architecture of the 24 meter pyramid is filled with symbolism connected with cosmology and the calendar of the ancient Indians. The four stairs leading to the top and the central platform have 91 steps each, which gives a total of 364. This corresponds to the number of days in a year. There are 18 terraces on each side of the pyramid (9 on each side of the steps), which is equal to the number of months in the Mayan calendar. The Maya calendar consisted of two cycles: 365 day Xiupoually and 260 day Tonalpoualli. These two cycles coincided every 52 years. On each of the four sides of the pyramid are 52 stone bas-reliefs. Which personify the coincidence of these cycles every 52 years.

Juego de Pelita ball court

In total, there are nine ball courts in Chichen Itza. The main and largest of them is the Juego de Pelita. It is the largest and best preserved Indian ball court in all of Mesoamerica. It is 168 meters long and 70 meters wide. The site has a unique acoustic effect, if you speak at one end of the site, then everything will be heard at the other. If you clap your hands, the clap will echo, which some compare to the cry of a bird. It is believed that the Indians accidentally achieved such an effect during construction, but when they discovered it, they brought it to perfection.
How the Mayans, Toltecs and Aztecs played ball
How exactly the ball was played and what the rules were is not known for certain, but most historians agree that the game looked like this.

The game was played with a rubber ball (in some cases it is said to be a human head), which could only be touched by knees, elbows and a carved bat. The ball had to be thrown into one of the rings that were on the left and right walls, one on each side. The diameter of the hole of 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 each in their own half of the field. The team that hit the ring with the ball won, and each hit on the ring itself was counted as a penalty point. Since it was extremely difficult to get into the ring, 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 score the ball into the ring. At the end of the game, the captain of the winning team would cut off the head of the captain of the losing team, and sometimes the heads of the entire losing team would be cut off. Sometimes the game had a ritual meaning in order for the priests to make a certain decision.
To the right of the ball court is the Temple of the Skulls (Tzompantli). The name comes from the image of skulls carved on a stone platform. Near this temple, severed heads were planted on a pole in a row.

Temple of the Warriors

The temple of warriors is a five-step pyramid, 11.5 meters high, on top of which there is a temple building. It consists of a front hall and a sanctuary, the entrance to which is decorated with a portal carved from stone, writhing snakes. The sanctuary contains a low stone altar in the form of a table supported by small human figures. On open area In the sanctuary stands a stone idol of the demon Chak-Mool in the form of a reclining man with a tray on his stomach for sacrifices. It is believed that most often they put a heart in it. The Temple of Warriors itself is surrounded on three sides by columns made in the form of warriors, hence the name of the temple.

El Caracol Observatory

El Caracol is the largest discovered ancient astronomical complex in the Yucatan Peninsula. From the observatory, the Indians observed celestial objects, calculated spring and autumn days equinoxes, the day of the summer solstice and it is likely that it was here that they created their predictions. Observations were carried out through special holes made in the round vault of the observatory. The round arch of the observatory was rebuilt several times during the operation of the observatory.
The observatory was named El Caracol, as the Spanish word for the snail, which is associated with the spiral staircase inside El Caracol.

sacred cenote
The Yucatan Peninsula is a limestone plain without rivers or streams. The only source fresh water there were cenotes in which underground waters came to the surface. Cenotes are karst formations - lakes, wells, and sometimes entire cave complexes with underground rivers and sometimes access to the sea.
But the Indians did not always use cenotes to get water, in some cases they played a ritual role. Donations were thrown here and human sacrifices were made in them. It was believed that the cenote is a kind of portal through which you can get to God. The priests, after certain ceremonies, sent the “chosen ones” to meet with God, and more often they were not pleasing people and for a long time watched the victim, 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 not a small distance from the surface of the water to the ground and the fact that the priests closely monitored that their fellow tribesman would definitely get to God for a long time, it was almost impossible to get out of the cenote. The only known Indian who somehow got out of the Sacred Cenote is Hunak Keel. Subsequently, under his leadership in 1178, Chichen Itza was captured. Sacred cenote of Chichen Itza, located 5-10 minutes walk from El Castillo. 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 treasures ended up in the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology at Harvard University.
Some tours do not include a visit to the Sacred Cenote.

Osario (Osario)
Osario means cemetery in Spanish. Osario at Chichen Itza is not a large step pyramid with a temple on top. Like El Castillo it has four faces with stairs on each side. But unlike El Castillo in Osario, there is a hole in the center that leads to a cave, 12 meters deep below ground level. Herbert Thompson excavated this cave in the 19th century and found several artifacts and skeletons in it. Thompson called the pyramid the Tomb of the High Priest (Tumba del Gran Sacerdote), since then it has had two names.

Chichen Itza hotels

For serious lovers of historical monuments, it is recommended to avoid a one-day visit to Chichen Itza and spend at least one night in a nearby hotel. This should be done for two reasons: firstly, you will have the opportunity to visit the archaeological complex in the morning, when there are no tourist groups yet, and secondly, to watch the sound and light shows that take place in the evenings.
In the vicinity of Chichen Itza there are a number of hotels of different price categories. Chichen Itza search for cheap hotels

Chichen Itza how to get there

Chichen Itza is a popular tourist complex; getting to it is not difficult. This can be done both independently and as part of a tourist group. Usually when excursion tour Chichen Itza also includes visits to several other attractions, for example, it can be Cenote Ik-Kil and the city of Valladolid.
When visiting Chichen Itza as part of a tourist group, there are pros and cons. The pros are that as part of a tourist group, you will visit several places at once and all this will most likely cost you less if you travel by yourself on the ADO bus, buy a ticket to the archaeological complex and possibly hire a guide. The main disadvantage when visiting as part of a tour group is that you will be visiting Chichen Itza along with a bunch of other tourists and the time for visiting will be strictly regulated. It will also not be possible to visit evening show sound and light.
How to get to Chichen Itza on your own
From Cancun, the ADO bus takes about three hours and costs 236 pesos (about $20) one way.
From Playa del Carmen on the ADO bus, the journey takes about four hours and costs 316 pesos one way.
From Merida on the ADO bus, the journey takes about an hour and a half, the price is 142 pesos one way.
Fare prices may change, so it is better to check them on the company's website http://www.ado.com.mx.

Chichen Itza travel photo

Entrance to the archaeological complex of Chichen Itza.

Near the entrance to the complex are Mexicans dressed in the likeness of the Mayan Indians, with whom you can take pictures.

The main attraction of Chichen Itza, the pyramid of El Costillo, it is also called the pyramid of Kukulkan, as it was built in honor of Kukulkan, the god of wind and rain in the form of a feathered serpent with a human head.

Serpent's head against the backdrop of the pyramid of El Costillo.

Stairs leading to the top of the El Costillo pyramid. Direct access and the opportunity to climb the pyramid were closed in 2006.

Pyramid of El Costillo.

Pyramid of El Costillo.

Pyramid of El Costillo.

Pyramid of El Costillo.

The head of the feathered serpent and the pyramid of El Costillo.

The main ball court in Chichen Itza (Juego de Pelota), there are nine of them in the city. It is the largest and best preserved ball court in all of Mesoamerica.

The ring into which the players were supposed to score the ball.

El Caracol Observatory

The Spanish word El Caracol means a spiral staircase. Inside the observatory is a spiral staircase.

Temple of the Warriors

Chichen Itza is a very touristy place and taking a picture against the backdrop of the El Castillo pyramid without tourists is very problematic. And even at the time of the closure, I could not do it.

Many sellers working in the territory of Chichen Itza come to work with their kids.

The archaeological complex of Chichen Itza is today very commercialized. On its territory, as well as nearby, there are many sellers of souvenirs, ponchos, sambrero, etc.

What country is Chichen Itza in? Of course, in Mexico! Chichen Itza- one of the main ones. The ancient Mayan city, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, is known to everyone who comes to this magical country. The pyramids of the ancient Mayans and Toltecs, numerous architectural monuments and proximity to - all this annually attracts millions of tourists from all over the world and makes Chichen Itza a real tourist capital of Mexico.

Pyramids and ancient city of Chichen Itza in Mexico

Chichen Itza is an ancient city in northern Mexico, located on the Yucatan Peninsula. These places were inhabited by the ancient inhabitants of the Maya and Toltecs. At dawn, the population of the ancient city of Chichen Itza was 10 thousand, although some scientists believe that this number should be 2 or even 3 times more. Now it is included in the heritage of UNESCO. Ancient objects are carefully guarded.

The architecture of the city dates back to the period from the 6th to the 13th centuries. The Spaniards dismantled most of the ancient cities for building materials, but they did not touch Chechen Itza. You can enjoy the view at any time of the year. Unofficially, Chechen Itza is called the eighth wonder of the world. Opening hours from 8.00 to 18.00. Entrance to the territory costs 220 Mexican pesos, and guide services 750 pesos. Children under 12 do not need a ticket.

Chichen Itza is located in North America country Mexico. On the map you need to find the Yucatan Peninsula, where the city is located. The neighbors of Chechen Itza are the cities, Cancun and - these are also popular tourist places. To get to these places by plane, you need to fly where the nearest international airport is located. Flights are made both from Europe and directly from the capital Russian Federation, Moscow.

The map also allows you to notice the main goal of many tourists - the pyramid of Kukulkan. On the left side of it, 100 meters away is the entrance to the city of Chechen Itza itself. There is also car parking nearby.

How to get from Cancun

To get to the city from Cancun, tourists and guests of the peninsula can use several accessible ways. For example:

1. The bus is the most practical means of transport. The journey will take a little more than 3 hours. Serves carrier ADO. Ticket price from 10 € to 16 €.
2. Transfer order will cost from 30 € to 40 €. The car can be picked up immediately from the airport, or from another place of stay, for example, from a hotel.
3. By renting a car, you can get there more comfortably and faster. The journey will take only 2 hours. You need to drive 200 km to Chichen Itza, which will take 16 liters of fuel. Gasoline will cost about 20 €.

How to get from other regions

The same bus runs from Merida as from Cancun, it costs 6 €. From Valladolid, you can comfortably travel by shuttle bus.

History of Chichen Itza

The name has been widely used since the reign of the Mayan tribes. Translated from local languages Chichen Itza can be translated as "At the mouth of the well of Itza", or "The mouth of the well of water sorcerers." Chi indicates the mouth or edge, chen means the source or well. Itza is an ancient people who ruled the entire region near the city. The word Itza itself is often translated as "sorcerer". If broken into two parts, then Itz is a sorcerer, and ha is water.

The ancient documents available to us show that there are other variants of the name of the city. For example, this is evidenced by the data of the Chilam-Bilam code. At the same time, it is difficult to establish exactly what the city was called before the arrival of Itza, which is hindered by the incomplete discovery of the ancient dialect. To date, several ancient names are known: Yuuk Yabnal, (Seven Great Houses), Yuuk Khab Nal (Seven Bushy Places), Yuukuabnal (Seven Great Rulers) and Uk Abnal (Seven Ways of Abnal).

Discovery history

History can be divided into two periods. The first lasted from the 7th to the 10th century, when the city belonged to the Mayan tribe. The second began with the conquest of the area by the Toltecs in the 10th century. The 11th century was marked by the granting of the status of the capital of the Toltec lands. But the city on the throne did not last long. The Maya decided to reclaim the city. Hunak Keel gathered a skilled army from the cities of Mayapan, Uxmal and Itzmal. He led the campaign against Chichen Itza, which led to success in 1178.

Later, due to unknown reasons, the city was completely destroyed and was in ruins. This happened in 1194. Although the Spaniards destroyed all the documents of the ancient tribes, historians have found that the frequent attacks on the city weakened the people. The upper strata of society dispersed to other places. From Spanish records, it was established that the Indians went on pilgrimage to the ruins of the ancient city. Since the 15th century, the area has been used as pasture for livestock. It is not known why the city was deserted. Some researchers talk about a terrible famine, others about a bloody war.

There is also an opinion that a terrible epidemic has hit the inhabitants and that the virus is still under the ruins of the city.

Be that as it may, everything changed with the arrival of the Spaniards. The 18th century was marked by various studies and archaeological excavations. Even then, many artists and photographers came to capture the unique wealth of the Maya. And since the middle of the last century, the Mexican government issued a decree to globally restore the city of Chechen Itza to its original form. All possible works were held and now it is an unusually popular place.

Attractions Chichen Itza

The city of Chichen Itza has a huge number of places of interest to tourists. If you come here within excursion program, then an experienced guide will tell you in detail about each attraction. In this article we will do short review major architectural monuments that you just can't miss.

There are many interesting things in the city, but the pyramid of Kukulkan stands apart from all famous places. The pyramid is one of the surviving ancient architectural structures ancient tribes. On Spanish there are such names: Pirámide de Kukulkán, Templo de Kukulkán, "El Castillo". So called ancient pyramid feathered snake. Kukulkan is a god similar to Quetzalloatl. The object plunges into the times of the Mayan tribe. You can learn many exciting stories and retellings about how wonderful deities were worshiped here. In their religion, blood was shed and cruel rites were performed to appease the objects of worship. In fact, the pyramid is a sacred temple.

Pyramid in the center large area 18 hectares in size. The temple is surrounded by a wide parapet made of stones. The size of the building itself is also impressive. The height is 24 meters, and if you take the top, then all 30. The length of each side has a size of 55 meters. All faces of the pyramid have 9 steps. On each of the four sides there are steep stairs, following which you can get to the top. Stairs are also oriented to the cardinal points. Each of them has 91 degrees, the total number of steps is 364. And if you add to this number the platform at the top, which combines 4 stairs, you get 365 - which means the number of days in the solar year.

The edge of the stairs is a stone fence in the form of a snake, whose head is at the bottom, and the body goes to the top. The size of the snake is 37 meters. An amazing show takes place here several days a year. When the autumn and spring equinoxes come, the shadow from the steps falls on the stones of the balustrade. At the same time, it seems that the Feathered Serpent is not just a sculpture, but a real reptile moving along the course. In the spring in March, it seems that the kite is moving up, and in the autumn in September, down. This action lasts 3 hours 22 minutes.

It is noteworthy that the stairs are cut into two, that is, the number of sections on each side of the pyramid is 18. This number is symbolic and indicates the same number of months in the Mayan calendar year.

The temple has 9 ledges and this is no coincidence. The Toltecs had their own beliefs about the "nine heavens". Each wall of the temple has 52 stone reliefs, which means 52 years - the Toltec calendar cycle.

Ruins of Chac-Mul in the north (Chacmools)

This attraction in Chichen Itza includes sculptures that leave no one indifferent. You can see altars, statues of Atlanteans and stone paintings. The architecture strikes the eye of the visitor.

Temple of the Warriors

It is too unique building. It has been amazingly preserved. A visit induces to admire the ancient people, their approach to business. The atmosphere allows you to feel yourself in the distant past. This is never forgotten.

Alley of a Thousand Columns (The Hall of the Thousand Columns)

In ancient times, this alley was a trade street. In the market, the clever tribes even built a roof so that the weather would not interfere with trading. Previously, the building had a large hall. Rows of iron and pottery items stood here. You can also buy simple household items. It was located near a large market.

Wall of Skulls (Tzompantli)

Although some kind of mysticism and horror emanates from the name, the picture of this object shows the opposite. The rock art that is here is unique. Picturesque patterns and beautiful composition are of considerable interest. At the same time, it is not completely known how the ancient people used the Wall of Skulls.

Stadium (The Ball Courts)

Many do not know that even before the invention of football by the British, the ancient Maya used this ball game with might and main. The stadium was built over 3000 years ago. Of course, the purpose is very different from modern sports facilities. At that time, people held religious rituals at the stadium. And the losing football team immediately lost their lives. They were executed and sacrificed to the deities. The terrible picture is that the height of the walls did not allow the players to escape from the sad fate. And the leaders watched this picture from above. It's also creepy that a skull was used instead of a ball.

Chichen Itza has 7 sports facilities. The largest stadium is called "Huego de Pelota" (translated as "Large ball field"). The length of this field is 135 meters.

After visiting the amazing sites of ancient culture, stadiums seem like a rather boring place.

Temple of the Jaguars

It cannot be said that this temple is something really unusual. The building is quite small. The most worth seeing is the jaguar sculpture that stands in front of the temple. This is the most significant attraction of the temple, besides it, there are no other features in the Temple of the Jaguars.

Pyramid Old Chichen

The name Old Chichen was not given in vain - this building is one of the oldest in the city. The appearance of the pyramid is also amazing. She is decapitated. Nature has contributed to this. During an ancient hurricane, the top was destroyed. The restored steps are striking in their beauty. Tourists would even like to climb a small pyramid, but this is not provided.

Observatory (Caracol)

Amazing building. I want to look at it in detail from different angles. Near the observatory there is a tower, certainly an interesting object. You won't be able to go up the steps here either.

Church (Nunnery)

This is an amazing building. At least, according to what is sustained in the style of Mayan Chenes. And this is the most picturesque style of the ancient Mayan tribes. Ornaments amaze with their sophistication. For a tourist, this place should be a must visit place.

Sacred Cenote

The sacred cenote is located right within the boundaries of the old city of Chechen Itza. You need to work hard to find such a coveted object .. First you need to find the Chichen Itza park. Next, you need to leave behind the pyramid of Kukulkan and to the left of the ruins of Platforma de Venus there will be a sign to the cenote. It is important to carefully look at the signs indicating the way. The cenote is a natural well. The depth is approximately 50 m. It was used for sacrificial purposes. Girls and children were thrown there, as well as various religious objects, asking the gods for rain.

Cenote Ik-Kil

The cenote is located just 5 kilometers from the city. You can get there along highway 180. This one is very a nice place well worth the trip alone. Mexico can be proud of such facilities.

Shops and shopping near Chichen Itza

The closest shops to Chichen Itza are in Pista. Here you can find several grocery stores, butchers, restaurants and savings banks. Shops and addresses of their location along Dsitas-Piste street:

• Bootix de los mayas - goods for needlework;
• Taller la escondida - at the intersection with 5th street;
• Las sobrinas de la tia - a restaurant at the intersection with 5-A street;
• Pollaria Suemi - grocery store closer to the 7th street intersection;
• Banco Azteca - between 7th and 9th streets;
• El Panal - at the intersection with 11th street;
• Novedades Y Regalos El Arca - gift shop at the intersection of 12th street and 180th highway.

There are 4 Mexican restaurants along Costera del Golfo Highway 180, Marthas Pizzeria at the intersection with 22nd Street, and Tecate Six Brasserie closer to the 18th Street intersection.

The following stores and establishments are located along Highway 180:

• Maxicarne - meat products, on 15-A street;
• Neveria Basulto - at the intersection with 8th street;
• Balam House - pizzeria at the intersection with street 6;
• Fruiteria Dorcy - food market, between 4th and 6th streets;
• Taller Mecanico "El Chino" - grocery store. Azteca - between 7th and 9th streets.

In Pista there are also museums, hotels and small hotels. Here you can buy everything you need for more affordable prices than in smaller resort towns. Souvenirs and food products are more profitable to purchase in larger cities. From Chichen Itza to Pista, the distance is about two kilometers, so shopping is not difficult and will not take much time, even if you make walking tour on the Merida-Valladorit highway. At a distance of 4 km to opposite side from Piste, the town of X-Kalakoop is located. There are several grocery stores, bar, restaurant and home goods store.

Also on the way you can stop by Libre Union, Tsitas, Tunkas, or more Big City Valladolit, where the choice of products, shops and other goods will help you to make more varied and profitable purchases.

World interest in the heritage of the civilization of the Mayan people does not fade away. Numerous religious and cult mysteries, gloomy predictions and the most accurate calendars, gigantic ruined cities, among which the most famous is Chichen Itza, invariably attract crowds of tourists and curious people. The name itself Chichen Itza from the Mayan language it is translated as “the well of the Mayan tribe”, due to the fact that 13 cenotes (natural wells) are located on the territory of the ancient city.

Chichen Itza: History of the City

Based on archaeological data and fragments of ancient chronicles, the researchers concluded that the famous Mayan city was founded in the 5th-6th centuries AD. It immediately became the center of the Yucatan territory: political, religious, cultural. According to some information (all statements regarding Chichen Itza not confirmed and are hypotheses that require evidence that is almost impossible to find), from 20 to 30 thousand inhabitants permanently lived in the city. An uncountable number of pilgrims and wanderers, merchants and money changers visited this settlement every year.

In the 10th century, the Maya were conquered by the Taltecs, the city was partially plundered and abandoned. for the most part population. But life did not leave him. The decline falls on the 13th century from the birth of Christ. Buildings crumbled, people left Chichen Itza. Since the 15th century, herds of cattle grazed in the territory, once rich, prosperous and populous.

For a long time, no one showed interest in the majestic and sinister ruins. From the middle of the 19th century, a fascination with culture, astrology, and most importantly, the legendary wealth of the Maya began. Scattered, but numerous excavations, studies began on the territory, artists and photographers from all over the world came to capture bizarre buildings and mysterious temples.

In the 2nd half of the last century, the Mexican government decided to restore (as far as possible) the original appearance of Chichen Itza. This place has become a Mecca for tourists.

In 2007 the ancient city Chichen Itza Mexico included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Mayan city of Chichen Itza has been named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Tuzha might have hit and, but not fate.

Chichen Itza, Mexico and the Artistic Value of the Ruins

The area of ​​the city is about 6 km. sq. The surviving architectural complexes are numerous and if you study them in detail, consider each relief and column, one day for a visit will not be enough. Unfortunately, excursions organized from Cancun are only one-day. Overnight in Chichen Itza nowhere, and creepy.

A professional guide will lead the group along paved roads, perfectly preserved over a dozen and a half centuries, and show and tell about all the religious buildings of the city. The largest and largest of them is Pyramid of Chichen Itza called Kukulkan "Feathered Serpent". The guide will entertain (and scare someone) with legends of bloody sacrifices, cruelty and religious beliefs ancient tribe. The Temple of Warriors will amaze with the realism of the reliefs and sculptures; it is easy to get lost in the group of “thousand columns”. The ball court will surprise you with the size of its territory and will give you goosebumps with images of severed heads.

The tour includes a visit to the sacred cenote - a natural reservoir, the diameter of which is 60 m. The depth is almost the same. There is evidence that girls and children, as well as numerous cult objects, were thrown into this “lake” by the Maya, asking their deities for rain.

In the north of the Mexican Yucatan was once located largest center Mayan people - Chichen Itza. The city in translation meaning approximately “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 disrepair. No one can now say what caused the residents to leave. The Spaniards who came here in the 16th century stumbled only on the ruins of Chichen Itza.

The excavations carried out in our time on the site of this ancient city 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 the Warriors on a 4-step pyramid, decorated with murals. Stadiums for violent ball games, a 50-meter well for sacrifices, a sacred cenote, an observatory of the statue of local gods were also discovered.

Stadium ball ring

Interestingly, the land with these structures until 2010 was in private hands. 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 magnitude, of course, was taken under the control of UNESCO. And in 2007 he was awarded the title of one of the new wonders of the world.

Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza

Main interesting architectural buildings in Chichen Itza were built in the so-called Mexican period - the time after the capture of the city by the Toltecs. Then it was built main temple Maya city - Temple of Kukulkan. The temple was dedicated to the Toltec god Kukulkan, whom they called the Feathered Serpent.

The temple, due to its expressiveness and popularity, has become a symbol of all of Mexico. Any inhabitant of our planet has seen this 24-meter nine-step pyramid at least once in his life.

The building has a square plan, 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 others famous buildings Chichen Itzi. On the right is the temple of the Warriors, on the left is the temple of the Jaguars.

Four staircases lead to the top of the temple, oriented to the cardinal points. The stairs are accompanied by a balustrade starting with a snake's head. On the days of the equinox, the lighting creates an interesting effect: it seems that the Serpent Kukulkan begins to crawl out of its lair.

Serpent head

In addition to its orientation to the cardinal points, the temple is also distinguished by other astronomical details. There are 91 steps on each staircase, which gives a total of 364. And if we add the upper platform to this number, we get the total number of days in a year - 365. The nine main steps of the pyramid are separated by a staircase, which actually doubles them to 18. With the number 18 in the Maya is associated with the number of months in a year. Each wall depicts 52 reliefs - the number of years in the calendar cycle.

On top of this great pyramid the temple itself is located with four entrances. The main entrance to the sanctuary is in the north. There are two columns depicting snakes. Inside are two more pairs of the same. In the old days, it was here that terrible human sacrifices were made.

Temple of Kukulkan

An interesting fact is the presence of another of the same nine-step pyramid in main pyramid. The entrance was found relatively recently, and it was here that the symbol of Mayan power, the Jaguar Mat, was hidden.

Jaguar Throne

The Jaguar mat is the ruler's throne, carved from stone, resembling the figure of a jaguar. The throne is inlaid with 73 jade disks in the form of jaguar spots. They are filled with the eyes of the beast. The first owners of the throne include Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, the founder of the Toltecs.

Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza

Another well-known temple of the city of Chichen Itza is located to the right of the pyramid of Kukulkan. The Temple of the Warriors is also located on the pyramid, the approaches to which are guarded by a detachment of patterned columns.

This building completely copies the temple of Quetzalcoatl in Tollan. The Toltec leader Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, before uniting the tribes and making major conquests, lost this city. So that in the new place he would be reminded of the past glory, a copy of this temple was built.

In front of the stairs of the temple there are 60 patterned columns 2.6 meters high, arranged in four rows. Previously, these columns had a roof, from which, alas, nothing remains now. Everywhere in the temple there are images of warriors - hence its name. As well as in all the temples of the Toltecs, human sacrifices were made here.

The pyramid of this temple is smaller - only 11.5 meters and consists of five steps. Balustrades of the central staircase are decorated with stone male figures. The top is decorated with the actual temple, which consists of two rooms - the front hall and the sanctuary itself. The entrance to the sanctuary is decorated with columns with snakes already familiar to us. In the sanctuary there is an altar for sacrifices supported by figures of people. Nearby stands an idol of the demon Chak-Mool, holding a dish on which the priests threw people's hearts. There are not so cruel assumptions of researchers on this idol. Some also believe that the dish serves as an offering in the form of intoxicating drinks, and the idol itself is a rain god or guardian of the temple.

Chuck Mool

Inside the temple, outwardly, everything is calmer and does not remind of a cruel past. There are many sculptures and frescoes, familiar images of snakes, jaguars, eagles. The warriors on the reliefs of the temple depict typical Indians of that time. They move in a march or stand majestically in place. The frescoes depict the history of the Mayan capture by the Toltecs, as well as the peaceful life of the inhabitants of this place. The Temple of the Warriors is undoubtedly one of the most interesting structures for studying the Maya-Toltec culture.

And although after the defeat the city fell into decay, the beginnings of a great civilization preserved their cultural heritage for a century and passed it on to their descendants. Chichen Itza in Mexico is indeed one of the the most unique places our planet.

Video about Chichen Itza