The Ancient City of Chichen Itza (Yucatán State, Mexico)

The ancient city of Chichen Itza is located in the municipality of Tinúm, in the state of Yucatán in eastern Mexico. ‘Chichen Itza’ means ‘at the mouth of the well where the wise men of the water live’ in the Maya language, and is divided into two parts: Old Chichen and Chichen Itza. Whilst the Old Chichen section contains six Mayan ruins, the New Chichen or Chichen Itza section features approximately 20 Mayan ruins. The main Mayan ruin is the Chichen Itza Pyramid; however, there are other equally significant structures such as El Caracol (the Observatory), the Temple of the Warriors and the Mayan Ball Court.

Covering an area of 1,547 hectares, Chichén Itzá is one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Yucatán. The tallest structure at Chichén Itzá is the ‘Kukulcán Pyramid’, also known as ‘El Castillo’. The Maya constructed this pyramid according to a specific system. Each of its four sides has 91 steps. The total number of steps is 364. When the flat platform at the very top is added to this figure, the total reaches 365—the number of days in a year. This stepped pyramid is approximately 30 metres (98 ft) high and consists of nine square terraces, each approximately 2.57 metres (8.4 ft) high. At the summit stands a temple measuring 6 metres (20 ft) in length. At the moment of the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow forms on the pyramid such that a body extension appears to trace an ‘S’ shape across the two carved serpent heads situated at the base of the staircases. This two-headed serpent is known as Kukulcán. From the top of the pyramid, there is a view spanning at least 5 square kilometres (1.9 square miles), and all the structures in the ancient city can be seen from there. Although tourism has been active in Chichén Itzá for over a century, the city began to experience a surge of visitors on the day of the spring equinox in the 1980s. Witnessing the feathered serpent on the Temple of Kukulcán appear to slither down the pyramid and hearing the echo—which resembles a bird’s chirp—when clapping one’s hands at the base of the pyramid’s steps is truly awe-inspiring.

There are four natural sinkholes at Chichen that may have provided a plentiful supply of water throughout the year, making the site attractive for settlement. The ‘Cenote Sagrado’ or ‘Sacred Cenote’ is the most famous of these. Chichen Itzá attained regional importance towards the end of the Early Classic period (around AD 600). The layout of the core of the Chichen Itzá site developed during the early settlement period between AD 750 and 900; the final layout was established after AD 900. The oldest hieroglyphic date discovered at Chichen Itzá corresponds to AD 832, whilst the latest known date was recorded in the Osario temple in AD 998. By the 10th century, the city had risen to become a regional capital controlling the area from central Yucatán to the northern coast. The city’s influence extended as far as the eastern and western coasts of the peninsula.

Chichén Itzá was one of the largest Maya cities and was likely one of the legendary great cities or Tollans mentioned in later Mesoamerican literature. It is estimated that this city had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a fact that contributed to the variety of architectural styles found at the site. Based on the types of pottery found, Chichén Itzá has a settlement history spanning nearly two thousand years. However, the buildings are only documented from around AD 750, during the Late Classic period. Despite attempts to reconstruct its history, Chichén Itzá is primarily renowned for its architecture. Various parts of Chichén Itzá are connected by stone walkways known as sacbés. As most of the stone buildings were originally painted in red, green, blue and purple, the site should be imagined as a colourful place rather than as it appears today. The ruins of Chichén Itzá are now federal property, and the site is managed by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia). The INAH, which manages the site, has closed a number of monuments to public access. Most of the buildings have been excavated and partially reconstructed.

Chichén Itzá entered the popular imagination in 1843 through John Lloyd Stephens’ book *Travels in Yucatan* (illustrated by Frederick Catherwood). In 1860, Désiré Charnay explored Chichén Itzá and took numerous photographs, which he published in *Cités et ruines américaines* (1863). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chichén Itzá became a renowned archaeological site following its selection as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World on 7 July 2007. Attracting over 2,500,000 visitors annually, Chichén Itzá is a site of magnificent and captivating beauty. There are numerous Mayan ruins you can visit to learn about its history.

The 3 most famous complexes:

1. The Great North Platform: the Kukulcán Temple (El Castillo), the Temple of the Warriors and the Great Ball Court
2. The Osario Group: the Osario pyramid and the Temple of Xtoloc
3. Central Group: Caracol, Las Monjas and Akab Dzib

Must-see structures at Chichén Itzá:

Kukulcán Temple (“El Castillo”): The temple was described as “El Castillo” (the castle) by the first Spaniards to see it. Mesoamerican cultures would periodically build larger structures on top of older ones, and the Kukulcán Temple is a prime example of this. Around the spring and autumn equinoxes, in the late afternoon, the north-west corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows onto the western balustrade on the north side, evoking the appearance of a serpent coiling down the steps. Some scholars have suggested that this represents the feathered serpent god Kukulcán.

The Great Ball Court: Archaeologists have identified thirteen ball courts at Chichén Itzá where the Mesoamerican ball game was played. The Great Ball Court, situated approximately 150 metres (490 ft) north-west of the Castillo, is the most impressive of these. The Great Ball Court is the largest and best-preserved ball court in the ancient Mesoamerican world. At one end of the Great Ball Court stands the North Temple, also known as the Temple of the Bearded Man. The interior walls of this building feature detailed relief carvings, including a central figure with a carving beneath its chin resembling facial hair. At the southern end, there is another temple, much larger but in ruins. The Jaguar Temples have been built against the eastern wall. The ‘Upper Jaguar Temple’ faces the ball court and has an entrance flanked by two large columns carved with feathered serpent motifs. Inside, there is a large wall painting depicting a battle scene. However, it has been largely destroyed. At the entrance to the “Lower Jaguar Temple”, which opens up behind the ball court, there is another Jaguar throne similar to the one in the inner temple of El Castillo. The temple’s outer columns and interior walls are covered in detailed relief carvings.

Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars: It is situated immediately to the east of the Great Ball Court.

Venus Platform: Dedicated to the planet Venus.

Temple of the Tables: It is the northernmost of a series of buildings to the east of El Castillo.

Steam Bath: A unique three-part structure comprising a waiting room, a water bath and a steam chamber heated by hot stones.

Sacbe Number One: A passage leading to the Cenote Sagrado and the largest and most impressive road at Chichen Itza. This ‘white road’ is 270 metres (890 ft) long and averages 9 metres (30 ft) in width. It is situated a few metres away from the Venus Platform.

Yucatán Peninsula: A limestone plateau devoid of rivers or streams. The region is dotted with natural sinkholes known as cenotes, which bring the water table to the surface. One of the most impressive of these is the Cenote Sagrado.

Temple of the Warriors Complex: It is surrounded by rows of carved columns depicting warriors. This complex resembles Temple B at the Toltec capital of Tula, suggesting a form of cultural contact between the two regions. However, the temple at Chichen Itza was constructed on a larger scale. Additionally, Chac Mool, a temple situated at the top of the staircase leading to the summit of the pyramid, is located here.

The Group of a Thousand Columns: A series of columns runs along the southern wall of the Temple of the Warriors. These columns must have supported a vast roof system when the city was inhabited. It consists of three distinct sections: the western group, the northern group and the north-eastern group. The Northeast Column Temple also features a small engineering marvel. It possesses a channel that directs all rainwater from the complex to Rejollada, an ancient cenote situated approximately 40 metres (130 ft) away. To the south of the Group of a Thousand Columns lies a cluster comprising three small, interconnected buildings.

El Mercado: This square structure anchors the southern end of the Temple of the Warriors complex. It takes its name from a large gallery and courtyard surrounded by stone shelves, which are thought to have been used to display goods at the market. However, archaeologists believe the structure’s purpose was ceremonial rather than commercial.

Osario: A pyramid temple built in the same style as the Temple of Kukulkan. However, its dimensions are smaller than those of the latter.

Xtoloc Temple: A recently restored temple located outside the Osario Platform. It takes its name from ‘Xtoloc’, the Maya word for iguana. Between the Xtoloc Temple and the Osario, there are several aligned structures. These are the Venus Platform, the Tombs Platform, and a small, round structure of unknown name. These three structures were built in a row extending from the Osario. Beyond these, the Osario platform ends with a wall featuring an opening leading to a sacbe extending several hundred feet towards the Xtoloc Temple. To the south of the Osario, at the edge of the platform, there are two small buildings which archaeologists believe were the residences of important figures. To the south of the Osario Group lies another small platform containing several structures that are among the oldest in the Chichen Itza archaeological zone.

Casa Colorada: This means ‘Red House’ in Spanish. It is one of the best-preserved structures at Chichen Itza. Its Maya name is Chichanchob, which, according to the INAH, may mean ‘small holes’. In one room, there are extensive carved hieroglyphs referring to the rulers of Chichen Itza and, possibly, the nearby city of Ek Balam. These hieroglyphs contain a Maya date corresponding to AD 869, one of the earliest dates found at Chichen Itza.

Las Monjas: Las Monjas is one of the most striking structures at Chichen Itza. It is a complex of Terminal Classic buildings constructed in the Puuc architectural style. The Spanish named this complex Las Monjas (‘The Nuns’ or ‘The Nunnery’). However, it is said to have been a government palace. Just to the east of Las Monjas lies a small temple adorned with intricate masks.

The Observatory Temple (“El Caracol”): El Caracol (“The Snail”) is situated to the north of Las Monjas. It is a circular structure set upon a large square platform. It takes its name from the stone spiral staircase inside. Due to its unusual layout on the platform and its circular shape, it has been theorised that the structure was a proto-observatory aligned with astronomical events.

Akab Dzib: It is situated to the east of El Caracol. Its name means “house of mysterious writings” in the Yucatec Maya language.

The “Three Lintel Temples” in the Chichen Viejo group: This is the name given to a group of structures south of the central area where much of the city’s Puuc-style architecture is concentrated. It includes the First Series Group, the Phallic Temple, the Great Turtle Platform, the Owl Temple and the Monkey Temple.

Balankanche Caves: There is a network of sacred caves approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) south-east of the Chichen Itza archaeological site. Within the caves, a large number of ancient pottery vessels can still be seen in the places where they were left in pre-Columbian times. On 15 September 1959, a false wall was discovered in the cave by a local guide, José Humberto Gómez. Behind the wall lay an extensive cave network containing a significant amount of undisturbed archaeological remains, including pottery, stone-carved incense burners, stone tools and jewellery. The INAH, which manages the site, has also converted the cave into an underground museum. A composite laser scan image was produced of the Balankanche Caves. According to data from the National Science Foundation / CyArk research partnership, the shape of the large limestone column strongly evokes the World Tree from Maya mythological belief systems.

Chichén Itzá Grand Museum: An archaeological site located in the town of Pisté, in the municipality of Tinum, Yucatán, which opened on 28 February 2024. It houses over 1,000 artefacts. Furthermore, the site features exhibition halls, workshops and a gastronomic centre dedicated to promoting the Maya language.