Information About The Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

The Chichen Itza Mayan ruins are a huge tourist attraction. Chichen Itza is a large archaeological site. The site was originally built by the Mayans, and it is located just about 70 miles from the capital of Yucatan, Mexico. The Chichen Itza Mayan ruins are a fascinating site, which attracts many visitors annually but there's a lot that people do not know about the site.

Etymology

The name "Chichen Itza" is a Mayan name meaning, "on the mouth of the well of Itza." The word Chichen is derived from the words "Chi" which closely translates as mouth or edge and "ch'e'en" which means "well." Itza possibly loosely translates as wizards or enchantment or magician of the water.

Origins of the Site

The site is split into two main parts. One part is from the older classic Mayan period and this was built in the 7th to 10th centuries. The other part incorporates features from the Mayan-Toltec era, developed around the 11-13th centuries. The site is now the largest of all Mayan ruins in Yucatan.

What You Can See

The site was recently named one of the Seven Wonders of the World so there's lots to see there. El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan is one of the main attractions of Chichen Itza. Located on the main platform, the El Castillo is a stunning step pyramid which is nearly 30 meters tall! During the afternoon in the spring and autumn equinox, the sunlight cast on the corner of the pyramid creates a series of triangle-shaped shadows, which all combine to create the shape of a serpent moving down the pyramid. This was an intentional design created by the Mayans to represent the serpent god Kukulkan.

Another famous attraction is the Great Ball Court. Measuring 545 feet by 223 feet, the Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza is the largest ball court from the Mesoamerica era. The court was used during its time to play Mesoamerican games. There is a temple area located at either end of the ball court. One of the temples is referred to as the Temple of the Bearded Man and one is referred to as the Temple of the Jaguar.

The cenote sagrado or "sacred well" is an intriguing feature of Chichen Itza. The Mayans used the cenote to make both human and object sacrifices to the Mayan rain god Chaac.

Other must see features are the El Mercado, or the market, Temple of the Warriors, El Caracol, or the observatory, Tzompantli or Wall of Skulls and La Iglesia or The Church.

There's so much to see and do at the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins you need to make sure you know what you want to see before you go so that you can make the most of your day.

By: Jeremy C. Winters

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