Chichen-Itza

The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are over 1500 years old and are located only 75 miles from Merida. The name Chichen-Itza is a Mayan word: CHI (mouth) CHEN (well) and ITZA (of the Itza tribe). Some believe people were occasionally thrown into the nearby cenote as sacrifices, and those who survived were believed to be seers.

Things To Do

Ballcourt

Juego de Pelota or The Great BallcourtThis Ball court is 90 meters long ,and it was believed to be the largest ballcourt in the Mayan world .Each side of the walls of this court there is a stone ring and it is believed that two teams , each had 7 players played and needed to get a rubber ball through one of the rings to make a score hands and feet were not allowed to be used .

The " Tzompantli ": or platform of the Skulls

It is believed that the enemies would be scared off by showing these pictures of skulls on a wide and T shaped stone structure that was 60 meters long and twelve meters wide. The heads on display were the heads of beheaded prisoners or any one that was sacrificed to the Gods. During excavation of this platform human skulls were found to support this theory.

The Plaza of the thousand Columns in Chichen Itza

This picture taken from the top of the Pyramid " El Castillo". It is an awsome sight to see these Columns from up there. The thousand Columns were build between 900 & 1200 A D and they were painted .

These Columns use to have a roof , but it is not known for sure what type of roof it was .With a roof over these Columns this area would have been great for large meeting halls and that's what they probably were.

Temple of Warriors

It is a close up picture of the top centre of this outside wall. I looks like two stone hooks.

The Sacred Cenote of Chichen Itza

For the Mayan people the " Sacred Cenote ''had a religous meaning and also a social one. It is believed that human's were sacrificed in this Cenote, but it has not been proven to be true. But they did find precious stones clay objects and other metal objects or pieces of objects of course they were broken after they were found . There was a small building close near the Cenote that was probable used to dispose of the items and thrown from a platform or something.

The Temple of the Bearded man

This temple is located on the North of the Ball Court. The platform is 14 meters long and 8 meters wide.On the back wall there are religeous scenes and a bearded Lord an dthe serpent God Kukulcan .

Temple of the Jaquars one side of the Ball court

The Temple of the Jaquars is located west of the Pyramid and SE corner of the Ball Court. There are two large Serpentine Columns at the doorway to the upper temple . There are coloured paintings that cover the wall .these paintings tell the strong military presence here in Chichen Itza .

Chac Mool

Yes the name was given by Archeoligist when they found him they named him Chac Mool The real name is not really known they believe. The statue is located in the center of the entrance and it must have been an incredible sight in these days .

El Castillo (pyramid of Kukulcan)

This is definitely the highlight of the visit to Chichen Itza. Currently it is permitted to climb to the top of the pyramid for a sweeping view of the surrounding area but our guide told us that due to the wear and tear on the pyramid people were no longer going to be able to climb.

The Mayans were very clever at designing structures, twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a snake's head and body will appear on either side of the staircase. Chichen Itza is extraordinarily crowded during that time, especially on the actual equinox days.

And if you stand away from the pyramid and clap your hands a certain way it makes a sound like a quetzal (bird).