NameChichén Itzá Architectural StyleMaya and Toltec SignificanceOne of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Type of StructureMayan Ruins LocationYucatán, Mexico

Architecture

Cultural and Religious Significance

Legacy

Fun Facts

References

History

Chichén Itzá is a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic period. The archaeological site is located in Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán State, Mexico. It was one of the largest Maya cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles at the site. The ruins of Chichén Itzá are federal property, and the site’s stewardship is maintained by Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National Institute of Anthropology and History).

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Architecture

The architecture of Chichen Itza is a blend of Maya and Toltec styles. The city's structures demonstrate the advanced skills of the Maya in architecture, with buildings such as the El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, being prime examples. This step pyramid stands about 30 meters high and consists of nine square terraces, each approximately 2.57 meters high, with a 6-metre temple upon the summit. Around the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, in the late afternoon, the northwest corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows against the western balustrade on the north side that evokes the appearance of a serpent wriggling down the staircase, which some scholars have suggested is a representation of the feathered-serpent god Kukulkan.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands from the Late Classic (c. AD 600–900) through the Terminal Classic (c. AD 800–900) and into the early portion of the Postclassic period (c. AD 900–1200). The city was a religious, political, and economic hub that controlled the region. It was also a pilgrimage site for persons who worshipped the Maya rain god Chaac. The notable structures of the site, like the El Castillo, reflect the city's cosmological beliefs. The city's decline is believed to be due to political and economic instability, coupled with overpopulation and environmental depletion.

Legacy

Today, Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico; an estimated 1.4 million tourists visit the ruins every year. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, testifying to its historical and cultural significance. The site continues to be studied by archaeologists and historians, yielding new insights into the Maya civilization.

Fun Facts

At the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun casts a shadow on the Pyramid of Kukulcan in the shape of a serpent, a phenomenon that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Great Ball Court, the largest known ancient sports field in Central America, is also found in Chichen Itza. The acoustics of this court are so good that a whisper at one end can be heard 500 feet away at the other. The city also contains a cenote, a natural sinkhole, which was used for both water supply and for sacrificial offerings.