CHICHEN ITZA – THE GREAT CITY OF MAYA

Chichen Itza is a massive monument complex, located in the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. This is the greatest surviving work of the ancient Maya - a people possessing an incredible civilization and leaving a lot of mysteries for the scientific world. The sudden disappearance of the Mayans has so far left no reasonable answer.

In the Mayan language, Chichen Itza means "mouth of the well of the Itza people". The name is associated with the location of the ancient citadel: located in the arid region of Central America. The water source is mainly from the caves on the lava rock located near the castle, so it is called by such a name.

Chichen Itza means "mouth of the well of the Itza people"

From the 600s AD, the Maya people built the first structures, turning this place into one of the most sacred cultural and social centers for hundreds of years, before its decline due to civil war. in the 13th century according to the Mayan Chronicle. Experiencing the ups and downs of history and the destruction of time, but many monuments, monuments, pyramids and mysteries of the ancient citadel still exist to this day.

Many monuments, monuments, and mysterious pyramids of the ancient citadel still exist to this day.

The most famous is the Kukulkan pyramid (El castillo). This is a sacred snake temple and also an ancient Mayan observatory. The Kukulkan pyramid is 24m high and has a temple on the top of 6m, with four symmetrical sides, each side has 91 steps, plus the altar at the top of the tower is 365 steps representing the days of the year. The 52 stone slabs that make up the pyramid represent the 52 year cycle in the Mayan calendar.

Pyramid of Kukulkan (El castillo)

In the highest room at the top is the jaguar-shaped throne of the ancient King Kukulkan. On the two days of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, the shade from the angular steps slides along the northern edge of the pyramid along with the movement of the sun; This shows that the Mayan method of timing through the Pyramids has developed to a very high level. Scientists also discovered that inside this work are two smaller interlocking pyramids, most likely containing many secrets that modern humans have not been able to discover.

In the highest room at the top is the jaguar-shaped throne of the ancient king Kukulkan

There are also many old football fields in the city. In which, the largest yard is 166m x 68m, surrounded by high walls carved with snakes winding together. At the foot of the wall are bas-reliefs of players, some of which are engraved with the decapitated player.

At the foot of the wall are bas-reliefs of players

It is believed that the ancient Mayans would hold soccer matches when there was controversy or to pray for rain. The two teams represent the confrontation between the gods of heaven and the gods of the earth, and the ball represents the sun.

The ancient Mayans would hold a soccer match when there was a dispute or to pray for rain

The ancient Maya, with their outstanding scientific level, also built an astronomical observatory El Caracol, with a spiral staircase inside. From here, scientists can observe the sky, predicting upcoming rains.

This is also the site of the "temple of the warriors Templo des Guerreros", a structure consisting of a pyramid and a large colonnade representing the warriors. Outside the temple, there are more than 1,000 famous columns delicately carved with images of heroic warriors.

Outside the temple, there are more than 1,000 famous columns delicately carved with images of heroic warriors

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza today attracts a large number of tourists. This place is also an attractive work for many archaeologists to discover the most mysterious Maya civilization on Earth in the past.

Chichen Itza is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Come to Chichen Itza to discover the mysterious and sacred things that this thousand-year-old land holds, about the once brilliant Maya civilization.