world famous archaeological zone,
is located 120 km from
Merida via federal highway 180 in the
State of Yucatan Mexico.
Chichen Itza is derived
from the Mayan language: "Chi" - mouth, "Chen" - well and
the tribe that inhabited the area.
Between 600 and 1250 A.D.
this ancient city whose name means "at the mouth of the Itza well," was
the center of political, economic, religious, and military power, not
only in Yucatan but also in the entire southeaster part of Mesoamerica.
The Itza domain included pert of Tabasco and Campeche, the northern Gulf
Coast, and a large part of the southern lowlands.
Its sphere of control
was based on regional and long distance mercantile activities, which
generated one of the most important commercial circuits in all
Chichen Itza rule brought about
drastic changes in the internal structure of Yucatecan communities. At
the same time, the introduction of an Innovative view of the world
marked the establishment of an order characterized by changing
commercial values, production and distribution systems, and residential
and religious architecture of the groups
in the power.
It is calculated that
during the age of grandeur approximately 50,000 inhabitants such distant
groups as those of Balamkanché, Iki, Cumtun, Poxil and Halakai, among
others. All of them were connected to the ceremonial center by means of
roads known as sacbeob.
Chichen Itza is the
most visited archaeological site in the peninsula of
Yucatan, due to its extraordinary architecture
beauty and its geographical location. It was founded in the year 514 of our era by the
priest LAKIN CHAN who was also called Itzamna. This is why their people were called since
the foundation, chanes or itzaes.
When the Spaniards
Chichen Itza, it had been abandoned as a consequence of the civil war fought
with Mayapan. In between 1196 and 1441
the final collapse of this culture took place in the north of the peninsula.
The conquerors found the buildings partially in ruins and
their names and real use were unknown; this is why the present names are suppositions.
characteristics of Chichen Itza and that have a direct relationship with.
The Mayan Toltec style are:
"El juego de la Pelota", "El Castillo", "El
Grupo de las Mil Columnas", "El tzompantli", El Edificio de las Aguilas",
"El templo de los Guerrerros", and "El Mercado". All of these buildings have
the same decoration motives found in Tula. The most frequent representations
are warriors and Quetzalcoatl. The cult of the Feathered serpent,
Quetzalcoatl in Tula and Kukulkan in Mayan, was very important.
Ball Game in Mesoamerica is found in Chichen Itza. It is 168 meters in
length and 70 meters in width,
In the place, as well as in others in
Mesoamerica, the Ball Game was an entertainment, but it also had a ritual
side in which the losers were sacrificed.
The pyramid known as known as
"El Castillo" is surely the place where the ceremony of the descent of
Kukulkan was held. The pyramid has special astronomical layout so that a
game of light and shadow is formed. On March 21st the body of the serpent
metaphorically descends from the temple on top of the pyramid and arrives at
the heads at the foot of the staircase. Excavations in the interior show
that there is a smaller "Castillo" in its interior.
This building owes its name to the rows
of pillars displaying relief carvings of warriors. It was erecter over
an ancient structure know as the Temple of Chac Mool, upon whose walls
and interior pillars there are richly colored carvings of plumed
serpents, warriors, and priests. The upper building only partially
reflects its true grandeur. There are three sculpted masks with
extremely long noses on the outer walls and at the corners. On the inner
walls of the vaults there were murals with scenes of war and daily life.
The altar-tables and benches may have served as seats and thrones for
In the "Templo de los Guerreros"
there is a temple on the top part where the entrance columns are typically
Toltec. Another one of the buildings that has a Toltec seal without is the "Muro
de los Craneos". These buildings were destined to be the mausoleums of the
tying up the years. Every 52 years the ancient Mayans and other cultures
would tie up a sheaf of years to end a cycle. Another important buildings is
"El Caracol", an astronomical observatory.
The archaeological site of
is divided into 3 areas: the Northern group (distinctly Toltec), the Central group (early
period) and the Southern area known as the Old Chichen (located far away from the other
buildings and its visit
requires a guide).
Pyramid of Kukulcan
(also known as The Castle)
where both theology and astronomy, combine to produce a unique spectacle
twice a year, the Spring Equinox and the Autumn Solstice, days when the shadows
over the architectonic elements of the building resemble a serpent descending to the
ground. Inside the pyramid are located the famous Chac Mool sculpture and the Jaguar
This pyramid, also called the Temple of Kukulcan, is the dominant
building in the northern sector of the ancient city. Together with the
sacbe (white road) leading to the Sacred Cenote, it forms a compound
representative of the religious and political power of the Itza people.
At the time of the conquest, centuries after its construction, it had
not diminished in importance, as evidenced by pilgrimages made by people
form all over the peninsula to pay homage to the rain gods and,
probably, to Itza ancestors. The size and symmetry
of this pyramid lend it an imposing aspect despite its austere
decoration. Inside it, there is an older structure known as which faces
in the same direction and is perfectly
Temple of the Warriors
Platform of Venus
of the Dance
Well of the Sacrifices
that displays figures of skulls in relief
Platform of Eagles and
The Ball Court and
Temple of the Jaguars,
This is the
largest ball court in Mesoamerica. It is formed by long wall on each
side, with embedded rings or hoops carved with scenes of the sacrifice
of ball players. At each end of the U-shaped court there are low walls
supporting buildings richly decorated with relief's and paintings.
To the east, the Temple of Jaguars and Shields presents processions of
dignitaries and battle scenes that offer a vivid image of the history of
Chichen Itza. The size of the court and the court and the height of the
rings indicate that, in this case, it is not likely that the ball was
hit through the ring by the hip alone, although such game rules were
generally applicable at the time of the conquest.
Chichen Itza Central
The Red House or Chichan
The name of this
building, situated upon a high platform, is derived from the fragments
of red paint that were found in its interior. The word "Chichan Choob"
means "small holes" and probably alludes to its lime roof comb. The
structure is comprised of an antechamber and three rooms and has a
sculptured hieroglyphic inscription in the main chamber. The facade is
smooth and there are two roof combs which bring to mind the late Puuc
style of the Terminal Classic period. The building must have had a
religious and public use, since there is a Ball Court joined to its
eastern side, with bas-reliefs in the Maya-Toltec style.
The House of the Deer
This structure is
known as the Observatory due to its shape and some possible astral
associations, since astronomical events concerning the planet Venus and
the setting of the sun during the three windows in the upper section.
The name "Caracol" (conch) comes from the spiral stairs that lead to the
upper part of the building. It was explored between 1923 and 1931 by the
Carnegie Institute which detected a series of six superimposed
constructions. It is believed that its construction dates from an
intermediary period between the Terminal Classic and the Early Post
Classic periods. The large trenches on the upper platform are samples of
consolidated excavations used for didactical purposes.
building with only one chamber owes its name to its proximity to the
so-called "convent" of the Nunnery and to the exuberant decoration on
its upper facade, which rises even higher due to its lofty roof comb.
One can observe large areas covered with the original stucco on the
Grecian frets of the central panel. "Bignosed" masks constitute the main
element of the facade, with a seated figure, god or ancestor integrated
upon the nose of the central mask. There also are figures of the four
carriers of the corners of the sky, - "bacabes" or "pauahtunes" (dwarfs)
- kneeling in the side panels. Its apparent that the builder had
certain difficulties in placing the three large masks rescued from
earlier buildings on the roof comb and opted to suppress detail. Up to
now, it is not known what the function of this building was, and in
spite of the overloaded decoration of the building, it is one of the
best architectural examples of the Puuc style in Chichen Itza.
The Akab Dzib
Temple of the Carved Panels
name of this building comes from the reliefs carved on the north and
south walls of the colonnade, depicting scenes of numerous people,
plants, and animals, both real and imaginary, which are dominated by two
warriors. the building is made up of a temple erected on a slab
foundation with a colonnade in front of it. The offerings discovered
during exploration of the fire - related rituals.
The Well of Xtoloc
The Temple of the Bearded
The three areas can be
seen comfortably in one day. Also you should enjoy the wonderful Light and Sound Show that
is held every evening.
You can travel to
Chichen Itza from Merida by daily travel agency tours, rental car or public bus lines that have
trips approximately every hour.
You can do the trip on one day or preferably stay overnight. There are hotels at Chichen
Itza, Piste (village 1 mile beyond the ruins) and
Valladolid (25 miles beyond the ruins).
CHICHEN ITZA SCHEDULE
Archaeological zone: From 8 to
From 8 to 17 hrs.
Sound Show in Spanish*:
Winter Hour: 19 hrs.
Summer Hour: 20 hrs.
*You can rent simultaneous translation equipment for English, French, Italian and German;
also Mayan translations are available.
Nearby are located the
Cave of Balankanche and the beautiful underground Well of Dzitnup.
Notice to visitors:
We request to visitors to restrain from buying any handcrafts from the
vendors they illegally enter the park, grounds this is done in order to
contribute for the preservation of the splendor and authenticity of
heritage of humanity.
Caverns of Loltun
Chichen-Itza Archaeological Site
Dzibilchaltun Archaeological Site
Dzilam de Bravo
Ekbalam Archaeological Site
Labna Archaeological Site
Mayapan Archaeological Site
< Capital City
Oxkintok Archaeological Site
Rio Lagartos Town
Santa Clara Town
Sayil Archaeological Site
Telchac Puerto Town
Uxmal Archaeological Site
Xlapak Archaeological Site
The Paths of the Mayab
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