Chichen Itza Mysterious City of Mayans
By Anna Lynn Sibal
The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza is one of the most visited places in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The grandeur and the mystery of the place have always captured the imagination of scholars and laymen alike. Just recently, Chichen Itza was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Most visitors to Chichen Itza come from the city of Merida and from the seaside resort of Cancun. Travel agents often include the Mayan city in their tours, and so as a result, tourists do come in droves to Chichen Itza.
The Allure of Chichen Itza
What makes Chichen Itza the popular tourist destination that it is? Simply put, the ancient city is a glimpse into the wonder that was the ancient Mayan civilization. In Chichen Itza are found the ruins of various buildings, many of them temples to the Mayan gods. The main attraction of Chichen Itza is El Castillo or The Castle.
El Castillo is a temple thought to be dedicated to the Mayan god Kukulcan, who is the Mayan equivalent of the Aztec feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. This temple is a step pyramid with staircases on all four sides. These staircases are adorned with stone carvings of the feathered serpent, which cast shadows upon the steps depending on the time of the day.
The Temple of the Warriors, and its Group of the Thousand Columns, is another impressive sight in Chichen Itza. At the front of this temple are rows upon rows of stone columns carved with reliefs of warriors decked in feathers. There are rows of stone columns also flanking the temple, and some of these run straight to the jungle just beyond the temple.
The awe-inspiring Ball Court, called the Juego de Pelota in Spanish, is a mysterious and intriguing portion of Chichen Itza. There are other ball courts in the complex, but this one is the biggest. It is thought that this Ball Court is not just a playing ground for the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame, but is also a site of the ritualistic human sacrifice that the Mesoamericans were known for.
Another sight worth seeing in the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza is the Sacred Cenote, which is what must have been the main source of water in the city and another place of religious significance to the Mayans. When the Sacred Cenote was excavated, there were found many pieces of pottery and jewelry, as well as bones of human children.
Visiting Chichen Itza
Most tourists come to Chichen Itza by tourist buses organized by travel agents. These tourists swarm to the city at around 10:00 in the morning. If you want to make the most of your visit to Chichen Itza and experience the magic and nostalgia it can inspire, better come early in the morning, before the swarm of tourists arrive.
The best arrangement you can make is to come to the area and book an overnight stay at one of the hotels near the ancient city. And then, trek to the city just a little after sunrise.
When you go to Chichen Itza, make sure you are dressed properly for a long walk. Wear light clothes to keep you from stifling in the heat and wear good walking shoes. Slather on some sunscreen to protect your skin from exposure to sunlight; also, wear a hat and sunglasses. Bring a bottle of water as well in case you get thirsty during your exploration of Chichen Itza.
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