The ancient city of Chichen Isza, Mexico: description, photo, where is on the map, how to get there. Chichen Itsa

Kukulkana: The right part of the pyramid is renovated, left - did not restored Karakol - ancient observatory

Chichen-Itsa is the city of Maya civilization well preserved with antiquity, built in accordance with the religious ideas of this people. You can immediately say that all the Mayan cities were erected taking into account the provisions of the heavenly shining and stars.

Once the city of Chichen-Itsa was the center of culture of several Indian peoples. The name of it is translated as "the place of the well of the ICA tribe." Chichen Itza left her trail in the city of Chichen Itza, Toltec, Iza.

Now this city in Mexico is the object of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Where is Chichen Itsa?

This seventh miracle of light in the north of Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is located. The ancient city of Chichen Itza was removed 205 kilometers from the famous Cancun resort and 120 kilometers from Merida. Not far from him (1.5 kilometers) is a small town of Pisthe.

The popularity of the ancient city

Chichen Itza is one of the most popular places in Yucatan and in Mexico as a whole. It is in second place in attendance among the ancient cities, it is ahead of only theotihuacan ().

According to estimates, the number of tourists who attend this archaeological complex exceeds a million per year. The huge influx was observed here in December 2012, because at that time the Mayan calendar was supposed to end. Many people wanted to spend the end of the world in the Archaeological Complex of Chichen Itsa.

Currently, in Chichen Iza, you can come with an excursion for 1 day both from Cancun and from Merida.

History of the city

The beginning of the history of the city dates back to the 6th century of our era. Then it was one of the largest cities of the Mayan civilization. The southern part of the ancient city is built in accordance with the traditions of the Maya people.

In the 10th century, Tolteches were dominated in the city after capture, which arrived here from Central Mexico. In the future, about a half of the 11th century, Chichen Itza becomes the capital and the center of the Toltec state.

Bloody sacrifices began here because of this nation. The whole northern part of the city indicates their presence. After a century, the city is broken by a huge army, which includes the warriors of the three states - Ushmal, Mayan, Izmal.

Chichen-Itsa was defeated by the ruler of Hunak Keel. In the future, the city was empty and turned into ruins (such a Europeans discovered).

Many treasures were stolen by the Spaniards, and manuscripts were destroyed.

Therefore, we can say about the story quite a bit, but it is assumed that if it were not for the actions of Europeans, archaeologists could detect many unique finds. In 1923, archaeological excavations began in Mexico, and now about 6 square kilometers of an ancient city is on the surface.

Pyramid Cukulkan in the city of Chichen Itsa

The very first building that is strongly thrown into the eyes is a huge pyramid of Cukulkana. She is a center in Chichen Itsa. In Spanish, she is referred to as El Castillo, that is, the "castle".

The overall height of the Cukulkana pyramid is 24 meters. The pyramid has nine tiers, and the temple is located on the highest.

Cukulkana, as well as every pyramid has 4 faces that are directed at 4 sides of the world. And for each of the sides, the wide staircase leads to the top, which the snake heads are decorated at the bottom.

The track leads to the main northern staircase of the pyramid. To go upstairs, a certain number of steps should be overcome - they are 91.

Initially, that the total number of steps on the pyramid, including the upper platform, is 365, that is, a smooth number of days a year.

Such a coincidence pursues that this pyramid may have a certain attitude towards the calendar or it matters in an astronomical plan.

At the very top there is a temple where sacrifices were committed in ancient times.

As studies have shown, a large pyramid was constructed on top of an even more ancient pyramid, which leads a hole in the semi of the sanctuary.

In the hidden premises, the Pyramids of Cukulkana archaeologists found two main antiquities: "Mint of the Jaguar" and the figure of Chaak of Moole - the rain god.

• "Mats of Jaguar" - It is a stone throne in the form of jaguar, the paint on it is a fire-redhead, this is a symbol of the rule of the ruler of the city. The very first owner of this throne for legend was Cetzalcoatl. Spots on the animal's beast and the eyes of the animal are made of jade. Fangs are sharpened from the stone of volcanic nature.
• - Made for ritual purposes. At her belly, she has a flat bowl, which was placed the heart of the victim, for the subsequent burning.

The second name of the structure of the Kukulkana - the Pyramid of the Pernomy Snake (the most faithful translation: the Operate Snake). First, this pyramid and temple are devoted to this deity. Secondly, the name is associated with a certain phenomenon.

Light illusion Cukulkany - game of shadows on the edges of the pyramid

Every year, an event that attracts people in Mexico occurs during the equinox. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the pyramid is lit so that the staircase discards the shadow - a series of triangles, which all together resemble a snake tail.

During the movement of the shine, the triangles in the sky alternately go out, so the feeling that this is the tail of a huge snake, a length of 37 meters, moves down.

Now such a phenomenon can be seen not only on certain days, every evening a light show is held here.

Cukulkana: The right side of the pyramid is renovated, left - not restored

Learn more about the Pyramid of Cukulkana on our site -

Temples of the ancient city of Chichen-Itsa

The temple of the warriors as well as the Temple of Jaguars is important buildings in the city of Chichen-Itsa. Both stand on small pyramids with 4-steps. Both have many paintings.

Temple of warriors

The temple of the warriors is located on the western side of the Pyramid of Kikulkan. It has four platforms, and from three sides around it you can see rows of three-meter stone columns. They are called a group of thousands of colon.

The pillars are skillfully cut out of the stone, and are Toltec soldiers, as if standing ranks. Once they pinned the roof.

On the south side of the temple there is a small structure that has the name "market".

The upper sanctuary, too, once had a roof, now it is not, and there are two "snakes" at the top, which worshed the passage to the temple.

On the platform there is also a statue of a person in a mid-core position. This Chaak Moole is the Rain God.

The Temple of Jaguar has two shrines: top and bottom. In the upper elite looked behind the game on the field.

At the entrance to the lower sanctuary, you can see the figure of the jaguar, thanks to which the temple received such a name.

Another building is called the temple or the grave of the Great Priest. During Maya, he played an important role.

Externally, the construction is similar to other temples with pyramids. But his difference is that inside there is a passage to the cave underground. There were ancient burials of noble people.

The second name of this building is Osuairi, in other words, the crypt.

Other sights

In addition to the temples, the city of Chichen Itza has other interesting places.

The sacred senote is a huge well. The diameter of it is approximately 60 meters, and the depth of the well is 50 meters. It costs water, from the edge to its surface about 20 meters.

The well served the place where they threw a sacrifice of young girls. Therefore, the second name of this object is a well of death.

Ball Game Fields

On the territory of the archaeological complex there are 9 fields for playing the ball. This game was something like a modern basketball, just played in it a heavy rubber ball, it was possible to beat only the thigh. Instead of ordinary baskets for walls, stone rings are attached.

The foundations found are large enough, the largest is located in the northern part of the complex. Its dimensions: length - 160 meters, width - 70. The entire field is surrounded by eight meter walls, they depict the scenes of tormented players and many skulls.

Karakol Tower - Ancient Observatory

Another ancient construction is Karakol. This is a tower on two platforms, it was used to observe the heavenly astronomical objects. Often it is called the Observatory.

Karakol - ancient observatory

Half of the sixth morning. "When the alarm clock calls in the morning, it seems to me that they shoot me ...". So it seems to me that I hear shots, and not a cute pop melody trying to wake me up. Why so early? Why ... exactly! Today we are going to Chichen-ICU - the famous complex of the pyramids of the ancient Maya.

"If we do not wake up right now, we will not leave early, if you won't leave early, I will not see the first-time-in-law in the ringing cleanness of the coming day, but will push your shoulders with other tourists," I am lying around and arguing, trying to finally cheer up. The presence of a goal gives a stimulus - it works surely. Climb!

An hour later, with a small one with Andrews, we sit in a collateral, brought us to the "mouth of a waters of waters." Do not be afraid, this is not the direction confused, it is so translated by the name "Chichen Itsa" from Maya.

After another forty minutes, we find yourself at the entrance to the archaeological zone, the first of the visitors buy tickets and exactly at eight hours we overcome the turnstile pyramids separating us. The goal is achieved: we got to the complex to the opening itself, when the bulk of tourists still sleeps or only rides from Cancun, Plais del Carmen and Merida. Nothing will replace these golden morning hours of silence and lonely walking along the ancient ruins.

Attractions Chichen-Itsi

Complex Chichen Itsa (Chichén Itzá) is considered one of the main and most beloved tourists attractions peninsula Yucatan. Why? We will deal with these a little later, but for now, go for us, maybe you will understand everything.

While you read it, we are standing with Andrews, we consider the sacred senote and suddenly we see the bird on the tree. "So what?", - You ask. And the fact that the bird is not easy, and so that we have repeatedly hunted, trying to take a picture. Andrews even gave her name - a bird of happiness.

And what do you think? Today he managed to catch his bird of happiness!

On this optimistic note, we leave Chichen-ICU and go further, in the Senot of IR Kiel. But this is a completely different story.

Does Chichen-Itsa notice? No matter what, yes. This can not be missed, otherwise the situation is A la "come to Moscow and not see the Red Square."

But there is one "but". Remember, I said that Chichen-Itsa is very loved by tourists? Do you know what kind of considerations do I have? It seems to me that there are so many tourists here, because the pyramids of Chichen-Itsi are the most affordable on Yucatan. Before them is the most convenient to get from Cancun, and the entire Riviera Maya, Merida, Valladolid. Therefore, they are the most visited. I do not diminish the advantages of this complex, but I do not think that he is undoubtedly the best in Mexico. Undoubtedly, if you compare this complex with nearby mouse or ek-blah, it wins on scale, and in importance. But we drove more than half of Mexico, seeing Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, Ushmal, Palenque, Esna and these pyramids were impressed at no less Chichen-Itsi, and some are even several times more.

Enjoy your walks on Chichen Ice, dear readers!

Thank you for useful information.

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World interest in the heritage of the disappeared civilization of Maya does not fade to this day. Numerous religious and religious riddles, gloomy predictions, eliminated calendars, gigantic destroyed cities, among which the most famous - Chichen Itza, invariably attract crowds of tourists and curious. Magic ancient ruins are examined continuously for hundreds of years.

History of the ancient city of Maya - Chichen-Itsa

Based on archaeological data and scraps of old chronicles, the researchers concluded that the famous Mayan city was founded in the 5-6 centuries of the new era. He immediately became the center of Yucatan's territory: political, religious, cultural.

All statements regarding Chichen-Itz are not confirmed and are hypotheses requiring evidence that it is almost impossible to find. According to some data, in the city constantly lived from 20 to 30 thousand inhabitants. The uncountable number of pilgrims and wanderers, merchants and changed annually attended this settlement.

In the 10th century, Maya was conquered by Tolteki, Chichen Itza was partially looted, and most of the population left the city. But life did not leave him. The decline falls on the 13th century from the Nativity of Christ. The buildings were tremended, people left Chichen Iz.

Ancient city in the modern world

For a long time, no interest to the majestic and sinister ruins showed. From the mid-19th century, a passion for culture, astrology, and most importantly, the legendary wealth of Maya began. Numerous excavations and research, artists and photographers began on the territory, and photographers from all over the world to capture the bizarre buildings and mysterious temples.

In the 1950s, the Government of Mexico decided to restore (as far as possible) of the initial appearance of Chichen Iza. Soon this place was Mecca for tourists.

In 2007, an ancient city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and called one of the 7 new wonders of the world.

Excursion in the territory of Chichen Itsa

The area of \u200b\u200bthe city is about 6 km. sq. The preserved architectural complexes are numerous and if you study them in detail, consider each relief and column, then one day to visit will be not enough. Unfortunately, excursions organized from cancun are only one-day. Night in Chichen-Itsa there is no place, and it is terrible.

A professional guide will hold a group of paved roads, well-preserved for a half dozen centuries, and will tell about all the cult facilities of the city. The most significant and tremendous of them is the Pyramid of the Pernomy Snake - Kukulkan. The guide will tell the legend of the bloody sacrifices, cruelty and religious beliefs of an ancient tribe.

The temple of the warriors will amaze the realism of reliefs and sculptures, in the group "Thousand Columns" is easy to get lost. The playground "For the game of the ball" will surprise its territory and cause goosebumps with images of cut-off heads.

The excursion includes a visit to the sacred sensation - a natural reservoir, the diameter of which is 60 meters. There are evidence that this "Lake" Maya threw girls and children, as well as numerous cults of the cult, asking their deities about the rain. The variety of impressions and the special energy of the place of anyone will not leave anyone!

Information for tourists

Coordinates of Chichen Iza: 20.6842849, -88.5677826.

Distances from the cities: from Merida - 115 km; From Cancuna - 200 km.

Open to visit: Daily from 8:00 to 17:00.

In addition to the most famous monuments of the Mayan civilization, Cancun is also interested in Cozumel island, which is ideal for those who want to soak on the beaches or to do diving and surfing.

Translated from the language of local tribes "Chichen Itza" means "mouth of a tribe of the ICA" or the "mouth of a waters of waters." Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Pyramid of El Castillo (Kukulkan) is announced here, announced one of the new seven wonders of the world. Chichen Itza is the most famous and at the same time the most well-preserved ancient city of Yucatana.

In Mexico, the legendary city is the second on attendance by tourists among ancient attractions. It is estimated to be devoted to more than a million people annually. The most numerous influx of tourists is celebrated twice a year, in the days of Spring (March 21-22) and autumn equinox (September 21-22). These days there is a game of light and shadow, when the shadow from the corner of the stepped terraces of the Pyramid El Castillo, creates the illusion of the crawling snake. These days in Chichen-Ice is going so much people that it is unlikely to be able to see the game of light and shadows. A week before and a week after these dates, the effect of light and shadow remains almost the same.

At the same time, in recent times, in connection with the huge attendance of Chichen-Itsi, many noted the fact that the ancient city turned into such a tourist and commercialized center that during his visit it is not possible to feel the magic of ancient culture due to the crowd of tourists and sellers Souvenirs located on the territory of the complex. The greatest fame in the world of Chichen-Itza received in 2012, when according to the Mayan calendar, the end of the world was supposed to be. A huge number of people from different countries rushed to Mexico in Chichen Iza to meet a significant date. Some television companies led live broadcast from the scene. The cost of one night in some hotels not far from the archaeological complex reached several thousand dollars. What would be to get Chichen-ICU without a crowd of tourists, it is better to come to the opening of the complex to 8 am, when excursion groups have not arrived.

Chichen-Itza Map

In the state ownership of the Earth, which is located Chichen-Itsa, passed on March 30, 2010. On this day, the deal was completed, after the governor's negotiations by Ivon Ortegova Pacheco and the landowner Hans Jürgen Tyes Barbachano, about buying a land plot of 83 hectares, on which an ancient city is located for $ 17.8 million. It was reported that the landowner himself insisted for sale Save Yucatana heritage.

History

It is not possible to reliably describe the history of Chichen-Itsi, it is not possible, since the policy of Spanish conquerors included the destruction of manuscripts and the murder of Maya's priests. It is believed that people mastered this place in the 4th century, and in the 7th century the first structures began to be built and the city community appeared. From 7 to 10 century, Maya Indians live here. In the 10th century, it is captured by Tolteches that did not destroy the city, but absorbed part of his culture. It was during the reign of Toltec Chichen Iza becomes the most powerful city, on the Yucatan Peninsula. In the middle of the 11th century, Chichen-Itsa became the capital of the Toltec state. In 1178, the city was captured by the united army of three cities-states - Mayapan, Ushmal and Izmal, who headed Hunak Keel. After 1194, the city was filled with full reasons for unknown reasons and pore jungle.
The mysterious city of archaeologists in 1920 reopened the world. The ancient facilities cleared and reconstructed, the archaeological complex began to attract tourists.

Chichen-Itza Attractions

Unfortunately, since the beginning of 2006, the rise of the ancient structures is prohibited, with the exception of several specially designated places.
Pyramid El Castillo (EL Caculcan Pyramid)

The main attraction of Chichen Iz is the Pyramid of El Castillo and this is no accident. When Chichen-Izu captured Tolteci, they combined their knowledge of cosmology with knowledge of Maya, as a result of which El Costilo appeared. The pyramid is dedicated to Cukulkan, the god of the wind and the rain in the form of a featful snake with a human head. Built a thousand years ago, El Castillo, is the main symbol of Chichen-Itsi and possibly Juchanta. This is one of the most famous and visited facilities of Mexico in Decolumbovy America. In 2007, the monument entered the list of new seven wonders of the world.
Architecture 24 meter pyramid, filled with symbolism connected with cosmology and calendar of the ancient Indians. Movement to the top and the central platform four stairs have 91 steps each, which gives 364 in the amount. It corresponds to the number of days a year. On each side of the pyramid 18 terraces (9 on each side of the steps), which is equal to the number of months in the Mayan calendar. The Maya calendar consisted of two cycles: 365 day shiopoualeli and 260 daily tonalpouall. Two these cycles coincided every 52 years. On each of the four sides of the pyramid there are 52 stone bas-reliefs. Which personify the coincidence of these cycles once every 52 years.

Playground for playing the ball Juego de Pelita

In total, Chichen Ice has nine playgrounds for the ball. The main and most of them are Juego de Pelita. This is the largest and best of all the preserved playground for playing the ball in the Indians in all mesoamerics. Its length is 168 meters, and the width is 70 meters. The playground has a unique acoustic effect, ate to speak at one end of the site, then everything will be heard on the other. If you slap in your hands, then the cotton will respond echo, which some compare with the bird screaming. It is believed that the Indians during construction accidentally achieved such an effect, but when they found him brought to perfection.
How to play the ball Maya, Toltec and Aztec
As exactly played the ball and what rules were not reliably known, but most historians converge in the opinion that Irga looked like this.

The game was carried out with a rubber ball (in some cases it is argued that the human head), which could only be concerned with their knees, elbows and a carved bat. The ball had to be thrown into one of the rings that were with the left and right wall one on each side. The diameter of the ring hole was slightly more than the ball. The field was divided by half and the players of each team were supposed to be each on their half of the field. A team won, which got into the ring with a ball, and each hit by the ring itself was counted as a penalty point. Since it was extremely difficult to get into the ring, Irga could last for hours, and sometimes the result was determined by the number of penalty points, since not one of the teams could not score the ball into the ring. At the end of the game, the captain of the winned team cut off the head of the captain of the loser team, and sometimes heads cut off the entire loser team. Sometimes the game had a ritual value, in order to adopt a certain decision to take priests.
On the right of the ball in the ball is the temple of the skulls (Tzompantli). The name happened from the image of the skulls cut on the stone platform. Before this temple, they sat on the pole chopped heads into a row.

TEMPLO DE LOS GUERREROS)

The temple of warriors is a five-step pyramid, 11.5 meters high, on the top of which is the building of the temple. It consists of the front hall and the sanctuary, the entrance to which is decorated with a portal with a stone snooping snakes. The sanctuary contains a low stone altar in the form of a table supported by small human figures. On the open area of \u200b\u200bthe sanctuary stands the stone idol of the Chuck-Mojol Demon in the form of a semi-carrying person with a tray on belly for sacrifice. It is believed that the heart put on it most often. The temple of warriors from three sides is surrounded by the collens made in the form of warriors, hence the name of the temple.

EL-Karakol Observatory

El Karakol is the largest found an ancient astronomical complex on the Yucatan Peninsula. From the Observatory, the Indians watched the heavenly objects, counted the spring and autumn days of the equinox, the day of the summer solstice and it is likely that it was here that they created their predictions. Observations were carried out in special holes made in the circular arch of the observatory. The round arch Observatory was rebuilt several times during the observatory.
The observatory was named EL Karakol (El Caracol), as this Spanish word in translation denotes the snail, which is associated with the screw staircase inside the El Karakol.

Sacred Senot.
Yucatan Peninsula is a limestone plain without rivers and streams. The only source of fresh water was the seats in which the underground waters went to the surface. Sota is karst formation - lake wells, and sometimes whole cave complexes with underground rivers and time access to the sea.
But not always the Indians used the seats to obtain water, in some cases they played a ritual role. Here they threw donations and they made human sacrifices in them. It was believed that Senot is, a kind of portal through which you can get to God. The priests after certain ceremonies sent "Favorites" to meet with God, and more often it was unheated people and for a long time watched the victim, whatever she was on the surface of the water, helping her to go to God with the help of stones. Given the fact that there was not a small distance from the surface of the water to the ground, and the priests were closely followed that their tribesman would accurately hit God for a long time, it was practically impossible to get out of the Seat. The only famous Indian who somehow got out of the Holy Senot is considered to be Hunak Keel. Subsequently under his leadership in 1178 and was captured by Chichen Iza. The sacred senley is Chichen-Itsi, to be 5-10 minutes walk from El Castillo. Professor Harvard University and American Consul in Merida, Herbert Thompson explored the Sacred Senot since 1904 to 1910, a set of ancient artifacts from gold, jade ceramics, rubber, obsidian, as well as human remains. Subsequently, most of the treasures discovered were in the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology Peabody at Harvard University.
Some excursion tours are not a visit to the Holy Senot.

Osario (Osario)
Seario translated from Spanish means a cemetery. Seario in Chichen-Ice is not a big stepped pyramid with a temple on top. Like El Castillo has four faces with stairs on each side. But unlike El Castillo in Seario in the center there is a hole that leads to a cave, a depth of 12 meters below the ground level. Herbert Thompson ranked this cave in the 19th century and found several artifacts and skeletons in it. Thompson called the Pyramid of the Supreme Priest Tomb (Tumba del Gran Sacerdote), since then it has two names.

Chichen Iza Hotels

For serious lovers of historical monuments, it is recommended to avoid one-day visits to Chichen-Itsi and spend at least one night in the nearby hotel. It is necessary to do this for two reasons: First of all, you will have the opportunity to visit the archaeological complex in the morning, when there are no tourist groups and secondly see the sound and light show, which occur in the evenings.
In the vicinity of Chichen-Itsy there are a number of hotels, a different price category. Chichen Iza Search Cheap Hotels

Chichen-Itza how to get

Chichen-Itsa is a popular tourist complex, getting to it is not much labor. This can be done both independently as part of the tourist group. Usually, when excursion round in Chichen-ICU includes more visits to several attractions, for example, it can be: Senot Ik-Kiel and the city of Valladolid.
When visiting Chichen-Itsi, the tourist group has its pros and cons. The advantages are that in the tourist group, you will visit several places at once and all this you will most likely cost it cheaper if you have traveled on the ADO bus, bought a ticket to the archaeological complex and it was possible to hired a guide. The main minus, when visiting a tour of the group, is that you will inspect Chichen ICU along with a bunch of other tourists and time for inspection will be strictly regulated. It will not be possible to visit the evening show of sound and light.
How to get to Chichen-Iza alone
From Cancun on the ADO bus Time on the way about three hours Price 236 Pesos (about $ 20) one way.
From Playa del Carmen on the ADO bus time on the way around four hours Price 316 Pesos one way.
From the Merida by bus ADO time on the way about one and a half hours Price 142 Pesos one way.
Prices for travel can change, on this it is better to check on the website of the company http://www.ado.com.mx.

Chichen Itsa Photo Travel

Entrance to the Archaeological Complex Chichen Itsa.

Near the entrance to the complex, Mexicans are dressed in the likeness of the Maya Indians, with which you can take a picture.

The main attraction of Chichen-Itsi, the Pyramid of El Kostilo, it is also called the Pyramid of the Cukulkan, as it is built in honor of the Cukulkan, the god of the wind and the rain in the form of a feathelter with a human head.

Snake head against the background of the Pyramid El Kostilo.

The staircase leading on the top of the Pyramid El Kostilo. Immediate access and the ability to climb the pyramid were closed in 2006.

Pyramid El Kostilo.

Pyramid El Kostilo.

Pyramid El Kostilo.

Pyramid El Kostilo.

Head of the feat of the snake and the Pyramid of El Kostilo.

The main playground for playing the ball in Chichen Ice (Juego de Pelota), in the city of their nine. This is the largest and best of all preserved playground for the ball in all mesoamerics.

The ring in which players should have scored the ball.

EL Caracol Obervatory (El Caracol)

Spanish word El Caracol (El Caracol), denotes a screw staircase. Inside the observatory is a spiral staircase.

TEMPLO DE LOS GUERREROS)

Chichen-Itsa is very tourist place and take pictures against the background of the Pyramid of El Castillo without tourists, very problematic. And even at the time of closure, I could not do it.

Many sellers working on the territory of Chichen-Itsi come to work with their kids.

The Archaeological Complex Chichen Itza is very commercialized today. On its territory as well as near many souvenir sellers, poncho, sambrero, etc.

The city of the ancient Maya Chichen-Itza made one of me one of the strongest impressions in Mexico. Even the huge Waves of the Surf Picker Squarel, which are simply dangerous even for the most professional surfers, did not leave such bright, excuses the mind of memories. And all because of the history of this place, to which I managed to touch (in the literal sense of the word, although it is generally impossible to touch anything here).

The ancient city of Chichen Itza has a very colorful story, which is full of bloodshed, wars and with all this is a strict economic heyday. Most of the buildings that you find here in the format of Ruins were raised about 1200-1300 years ago. Not so long ago, if you think that the city itself lived a few more thousand years before.

In Mexico Chichen Itza is the main attraction of the Mayan culture. There are, of course, still amazing Tulum on the coast, stunning and cob, but Chichen Itza looks like a mother of all cities.

History

Not everyone knows that not only Maya lived in Chichen Ice, but also Toltec (also Indians). Those pyramids that you see are not the buildings of Maya, but are in the Mayan city. No one knows for sure why about 1200 years ago, Chichen Itza (and Tikal) was abandoned. Some archaeologists talk about drought, others about the war, the third - about the epidemic of a terrible disease, from which more than half of the inhabitants died, and a steady virus of which can still be buried under the soil layer under the pyramids.

By the way, Toltec, according to scientists, did not drive out and did not take the power of the city of Chichen-Izu from Maya. On the contrary: they, like us, also found the ruins of an abandoned city and began to restore it. So, Chichen-Itsa first was at an unknown reason to leave Maya, and then, 1200 years ago, and Tolteki.

So, Toltec is not Maya, but the people of the Uouth Aztec family, and it was when they were built most of the attractions of the city of Chichen-Itsi, which will be discussed below. Surprisingly, on all the avenues and brochures in all cities of Mexico, the word "Mayansky" is written, and not "Toltec".

Where is

Chichen Itza is on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Neighboring cities - and - also are tourist zones. The nearest international airport is located in Cancun, it can be used for flights to Europe or even direct flights to Moscow.

On the map you will see the marked main attraction of Chichen-Itsi - the Pyramid of Cukulkan. To the left of it is the entrance to Chichen Iza (100 meters) and parking for cars.

How much is admission

The entrance ticket to Chichen Iza costs about 13 USD, is paid strictly in Mexican currency, in the amount of 204 MXN. For children under 12 years old inclusive entrance is free. Evening show takes place at 20:00, and for those who have already bought a ticket to Chichen Iza, it is free.

How to get

To get to Chichen-Itsy, you will have to take a bus company ADO from Cancun (2.5 hours on the way, 15 USD) or from Merida (1 hour rounds, 7 USD). You can rent a car and get here on the following route, for example, from Cancuna:

Operating mode

Chichen Itza works every day without days off from 8:00 to 18:00. The evening show passes a little later, at 20:00, but not every day. Basically, this is an animation, sometimes fireworks.

sights

In Chichen-Ice, there are many ruins of temples, public buildings and even residential buildings. The outlines of the streets are preserved, thanks to these ruins you can also feel like a real resident of the city, which just goes from the market to my home.

Among the main attractions are especially allocated here.