Exploring the mystery of Chichen Itza

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Chichen Itza once cradled an ancient city of advanced civilization, the Maya. Thriving in commerce and science, the Mayan civilization has its life in progressive path when Europe was still experiencing the bleak Dark Ages.

However, at around the 1400s, its inhabitants left for unknown reasons, leaving the city in the hands of time and the power of nature. What was once a booming city lay abandoned, yet its beauty and mystery still calls out for people to see.

LOCATION

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The ruins of Mayan civilization in Chichen Itza or “at the mouth of the well of Itza”are the most well preserved ruin we can see today.

This archaeological site, which has been recently added to the New Seven Wonders of the World as declared by UNESCO is located at the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Yucatan is located on the southeastern part of the country. Chichen Itza is located north of the peninsula near Cancun and in between Merida and Valladolid.

CLIMATE

(3) A shape of a snake during spring and autumnal equinox

The best time to travel to travel to Chichen Itza is during the spring and autumnal equinox where a shape of a serpent is formed along the stairs of the pyramid.

However, these times are tightly packed due to the number of tourists wanting to see the shape as well. Visiting other times is a fair game with Chichen Itza experiencing a consistent tropical climate.

TRANSPORTATION

(4) Cancun Airport

A tourist who comes to see Chichen Itza comes from a tour in Cancun, a major city in the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun is more than a two-hour ride from Chichen Itza and buses from the airport terminals and downtown area are available.

There is also an airport in Merida, which lasts for under two hours from the airport to Chichen Itza. If you’re from Valladolid, it takes around 45 minutes.

Getting back is a bit confusing. First buy a ticket at the main gift shop near the welcome center. You have to wait for the bus in the parking lot marked by grassy space. Buses come and go at 1-hour intervals.

ATTRACTION

El Castillo

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Internationally known as the Temple of Kulkulan, the pyramid-like structure with a flat top is the most identifiable ruin in Itchen Itza and the major tourist point. The temple has 91 steps from four sides, making up a total of 3264 steps corresponding to the days there is in a year.

The tower makes up for the last day. During the autumn and spring equinox, the sun lights the balustrade at 3 pm where the shadow meets the large serpent head. The 75-feet tall pyramid is said to be built for the astronomical needs of the Mayan Civilization.

Great Ball Court

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At 554 feet long and 231 feet wide, the Great Ball Court is a massive free space with raised platforms at both ends dedicated to Mayan sports. The sport is both a game and a ritual for the Mayan Civilization where participants of the game will score points after they shoot the 5.4-kilogram rubber ball on stone hoops at the walls of the court.

Legend says the losing party puts the winner to death. This strange practice is rooted in their belief that death through this way is the greatest honor and would earn them a fast-lane ticket to heaven – basically no traffic, just smooth driving to put into modern context.

Tzompantli

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Tzompantli is an original structure of Toltec and is of Aztec origin. In English, Tzompantli is known as The Wall of Skulls, because of heads of sacrificial Mayans are said to be placed in here.

Apart from the rack of skulls are other carvings of the civilization’s rituals such as, eating a man’s heart and human sacrifice – both are no less gruesome than the other.

Cenote Sagrado

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Cenote Sagrado is a vital part of the Mayan Civilization. With no streams or rivers for water sources, the sinkholes are their last viable options. It is believed the Mayans treat the sinkholes as sacred with pilgrimage a part of their daily lives.

Not only precious jewelries and cloths are found at the bottom of the sinkhole. Skeletons of men and women are also found, which entails human sacrifice for their rain goddess.

Platform of Venus and Platform of Eagles and Jaguars

There are two platforms elaborately carved at two different places in Chichen Itza. The first is one is the Platform of Venus near the High Priest grave and was found with a skeleton of a decapitated man.

The other is the Platform of Eagles and Jaguars with shapes of jaguars and eagles eating man’s heart. It represents the warriors of the Mayan civilization who hunts for human sacrifice.

Though located in different parts, the platforms serves one purpose – a place for ceremonies and rituals, which usually involves lives both that of human and animals.

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Images:

(1.) http://www.thebeach-tulum.com/images/Content/PhotoGallery/chichen_sunset.jpg
(2.) http://wallzoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/chichen-itza-map.jpg
(3.) https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/67/34/fe67342b1e185a249d9c7f8494cf206f.jpg
(4.) http://www.simflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/AMS_cancun2011.jpg
(5.) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/El_Castillo_Chitzen_Itza.jpg
(6.) http://www.delange.org/ChichenItza2/ci10b.jpg
(7.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8214/8321513374_e8d9216789_b.jpg
(8.) http://image1.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2015-02-09/1331704174633_13/0012/0/0/85/2605/3995/1200/13/inside-dzitnup-cenote-near-chichen-itza-on-mexico-s-yucatan-peninsula.jpg
(9.) http://www.templeenergies.com/TempleEnergies/YUCATAN-CHICHENITZA-PRINCIPALPLAZA-PlatformOfVenus-2008_files/Chichen-Itza-Platform-of-Venus-south-52.jpg