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Chichen Itza, located at the Northern tip of what is now Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, was a Mayan city that was later heavily influenced by the Toltec civilization. Flowering period during c. From 750 to 1200 AD, this is rich in monumental architecture and sculptures that promote militaristic themes and feature images of jaguars, eagles and feathered serpents. Perhaps the rulling capital of a union of neighboring states, Chichen Itza is one of the great cities of Mesoamerica and remains one of Mexico's most popular tourist attractions today. Chichen Itza has been declared a world Heritage site by UNESCO.

Chichen Itza is one of the largest Mayan cities ever built

Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The Mayans built the city in the Puk architectural style around 250-900 AD, well before Aztec period, which lasted from 1300-1521. One of the largest Maya cities ever built, he covers an area of 4 square miles (10 square kilometers). At its peak, about 35,000 people would have called it home.

Chichen Itza takes its name from a cenote

Chichen Itza gets its name from the geological features of the area and the tribes who settled there. This place contains caves and sinkholes in limestone formations known as cenotes. These are natural springs that form when the limestone surface collapses, exposing the waterneath. Chi means ‘mouth’ chen means 'well' and Itza is the name of the Mayan people who settled there. Chichen Itza means “Entrance to the fountain of Itza”. Chichen Itza is the spanish spelling and Chichen Itza is the Mayan Spelling.

Chichen Itza, founded by the Maya

The Maya of the Yucatan Peninsula have lived in this area since the Preclassic or Formative Period (1500 BC-300 AD). They probably built Chichen Itza. The earliest structures include Aqavtsib (House of Dark books"), chichanchob (Red House), Iglesia (Church), Casa de las Monjas (Nuns" Monastery),El Caracol Observatory (Snail).

Invaders Build the Pyramids of Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza's most famous structure is El Castillo ("The Castle"). Foreigners invaded chichen in the 10th century and these invaders built El Castillo. The is a pyramid 24 meters high from the main square, with its 91 steps facing north east, south and west on each of his four sides. Including the stairs to the top floor, there are 365 steps in total. This is the same number of days in the solar year.

Pyramid a top Feathered Serpent

Chichen Itza's pyramid has a feathered serpent carved on top it. This represents quetzalcoatl, known to the Mayans as Kukulcan. Quetzalcoatl is a portmanteau of the quetzari (The tail feathers of the quetzal bird) and coatl (serpent). This clumsy serpent is one of the major gods of the ancient Mexican pantheon.

Chichen Itza's equinoxes are very special

During the equinoxes (around March 20th and 21st) and autumnal equinoxes (around september 20th and 21st), great things happen at El Castillo in Chichen Itza. On these days, the sun's rays hit the earth directly at the equator. In this case, the length of day and night is approximately the same. At this time, the shadow of the setting sun makes quetzalcoatl/kukulkan appear to slide down the stairs.

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