One of the new seven wonders of the world, Chichén Itzá is the most famous and best restored of the archaeological sites on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The 25m high El Castillo, also called the Pyramid of Kulkulcán, is one of Chichén Itzá’s most impressive structures and a massive stone representation of the Maya calendar. The architecture at Chichén Itzá is unique in that blends the style and traditions of the Toltecs from Mexico’s central highlands with that of the Maya. Toltec warriors are represented in the doorway carvings at the top of the main pyramid. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to view the carvings as visitors are no longer permitted to climb the structures. Chichén Itzá was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
From the World Heritage inscription:
This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol.
One of the most interesting times to visit Chichén Itzá is during the spring equinox in mid-March or the autumn equinox in mid-September when the shadow of the serpent that is carved on the main pyramid appears to ascend and descend the staircase.
Tours to Chichén Itzá from the nearby resort cities of Cancún and Playa del Carmen are popular and the site is almost always crowded, but fascinating and worth a visit nonetheless. The best time to go is early in the morning before the tour groups arrive.
If you’re planning a visit to Chichén Itzá, you should book cheap flights to Cancún International Airport in the state of Quintana Roo. American Airlines and Delta Airlines both offer direct flights between the U.S. and Cancún.
Photo credit: via flickr
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I’ve heard about the the shadow of the serpent appearing to ascend and descend the staircase during the equinox. Got to see this for myself!
This was like pyramid in Egypt but his one is really interesting I never thought that mexico has this kind of structure I have to check on this in the near future