Chichen Itza. Pyramid Maya

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!

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Chichen Itza is one of the few ancient cities that managed to partially restore during the excavation. It is located in Mexico near Cancun. Previously, it was the political and cultural center of the Mayan civilization. And although today the territory is abandoned by residents, the landmark is the Heritage of UNESCO, so tourists come to see the ancient buildings not in the photo, but in humilia.

Historical Summary of Chichen Ice

From history, everyone knows about the Mayan tribe, but by the time of the Spaniards landing on the Peninsula Yucatan from the numerous population, only scattered settlements remained. The ancient city of Chichen Itza is an irrefutable confirmation that there is no time civilization was very powerful, and the knowledge that she owned can surprise today.

The beginning of the construction of the city dates back to the 6th century. Architecture can be divided into two periods: Maja and Toltec cultures. The first buildings appeared in the 6-7th centuries, the subsequent buildings elevated after the seizure of the terrain by Tolteki in the 10th century.

In 1178, the city was partially defeated after the invasion of Hunak Keel. In 1194, the previously flourishing center was almost completely empty. It was still used for pilgrimage purposes, but for unknown reasons, residents never returned to the city with unusual architecture and developed at the time infrastructure. In the 16th century, he was already completely abandoned, since the Spanish conquerors came across the ruins only.

Sights of the ancient city

When visiting Chichen-Itsi is difficult to bypass the side of the monumental buildings of the city, which even today surprise their scale. A business card is a church of the Cukulkan, a pyramid of a height of 24 meters. Maya worshiped Divine creatures in the form of feathered snakes, so a surprising miracle was hidden in the design features of the Cukulkan Pyramid.

In the days of autumn and spring equinox, the sun rays fall on the slopes of the structure so that they create the shadows of seven equilateral triangles. These geometric shapes are connected to a single integer and form a snake that is crucified by a pyramid, in size of 37 meters. The spectacle lasts almost 3.5 hours and collects a huge crowd every year.

Also during excursions, they necessarily speak about the temple of the warriors and the temple of jaguars, painted by unusual drawings. The temple of the warriors can see the ruins of thousands of columns, each shot down images of warriors. In those days, astronomy had tremendous importance for residents, so it is not surprising that there is an observatory in ancient city. The staircase has a spiral form, so the building is called Karakol, which is translated as "snail".

One of the gloomy places of the city is the sacred senote, where the well is with the remains of animals and people. During the Toltext, the sacrifice was played key importance in religion, but there are many children's skeletons. Scientists still can't find a randering, why children were needed for rites. Perhaps this mystery remains hidden in the walls of Chichen-Itsi.

For Maya, astronomy was set at the head of everything, a lot of nuances in architecture associated with time and calendar features. So, for example, the Kukulkan temple consists of nine tiers, on each side the staircase divides the pyramid in half. As a result, 18 tiers are formed, as many months in Maya calendar. In each of the four stairs, exactly 91 stages, which in sum with the top pedestal is 365 pieces, and this is the number of days a year.

Interestingly, the locals loved to play with the ball in Pot-Ta-Pok. Confirmation of this is several playgrounds. The largest reaches 135 meters long and 68 - width. There are temples around it one on each side of the world. Guides usually show how to get to sports grounds, and talk about the rules of the game.

Chichen-Itsa can easily surprise, because the city is impressive by his scope. It seems that everything in it was thought out to the little things, which is not clear, for which reasons the inhabitants left him. The mystery of the story may forever remain unexplored, and it is even more interesting for tourists.

Approximately 120 kilometers southeast of the city of Merida are the ruins of the ancient city of Chichen-Itsa. This is the most famous archaeological attraction of the Mayan period and Yucatan State

We continue a series of stories about the pyramids of the world from Lifeglobe. Last time, we told about the underwater pyramids of Jonaguni Island, now came through the story about the great city of Maya Indians, their culture and facilities.

Contrary to widespread opinion, Maya was not an empire - it was a group of autonomous cities, often interacting with other states in the region. Chichen-Itsa and many other important Mayan cities were built in accordance with the sacred beliefs of the Indians - the city were built, reflecting the situation of various astronomical objects of the night sky

So, who still built this ancient city and his pyramids? Maya were an ancient civilization of southern Mexico and other South American countries - Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Salvador. Nowadays, about 6 million descendants of Maya speakers who speakers in many different adverbs live here.

The people of Maya very well versed in astronomy, during the first millennium of our era, they studied in detail and caused a scheme of the movement of the sun, the moon, as well as other planets and stars. On this, their religion and mythology, explaining the past, present and future. Maya also invented a brilliant mathematical system, a written system, and a combination of three accurate interrelated calendars

In addition to the city of Chichen Itza, Maya is also a number of other cities in churches, such as Palenk, Ushmal, Copan, and others. Many of these cities are restored by archaeologists, while the part remains underground and is waiting for their turn. It is also worth noting that Maya could move over long distances in the ocean, developing a complex method of navigation on the stars

We turn specifically to the history of the city of Chichen-Itsa. The Proto Maya tribes inhabited a flat plateau of Yucatan Peninsula for 8000 years. Archaeologists believe that this place for thousands of years was the most important place of pilgrimage

The capital and social center of Maya Chichen-Itza became the eighth century. At first, the coastal territories of Yucatan were found, then settlements were spread to the entire peninsula. Thanks to two large sources of pure water, not drying throughout the year, Chichen Itza became the most powerful city of Maya

In the 10th century, the city was captured by Toltec, making the capital of the Toltec State in Chichen-ICU, but later he was disgusted with the joint argent of the three Maya cities. After the 12th century, Yucatan at mysterious reasons was empty, since the Spanish conquerors destroyed the Mayan manuscripts and clergy. By the time of Spanish conquests in the 16th century, Chichen Iza was solid ruins

As a result of the excavation in the territory of the city, many architectural monuments were found, in particular, the famous pyramids Chichen-Itsi. The temple of the Kukulkana is most distinguished among them - a pyramid of 9 stages of 24 meters high. It is surprising that in the days of autumn and spring equinels, the rays of the sun illuminate the pyramid staircase in such a way that they form an image of seven-free triangles, which, in turn, the body of a 37-meter snake crawling as the sun moves to its head, is turned out to be turned into a stone at the base Stairs

On a small pyramid of 4 steps there is a temple of the soldiers of Chichen Iza, the Temple of Jaguars and the Maya Observatory called Karakol is adjacent. Surprisingly, the Maya Indians played football. Naturally, not in the form in which it is customary to play this game is now, but nevertheless, during the excavations, 7 large balls for playing the ball were discovered. The length of the largest field was 135 meters

It was also possible to maintain the statues of the gods, with a very interesting detailing and style of execution, a lot of handicraft objects and various utensils. The sacred well is preserved at 50 meters deep, which is probably used for sacrifice

Nowadays, the Government of Mexico bought a plot of land in 83 hectares, on which the city of Chichen Itza is located in order to save it. This is one of the main attractions of Mexico recognized by UNESCO of the object of world heritage. In 2007, the city recognized as one and new seven wonders of the world.

Related cities in Mexico were also at Aztecs, for example, the city of Teotihuacan, which looks no less majestically.

Pyramids Chichen Itza are one of the most visited attractions of Mexico, noted by UNESCO.

Chichen-ICA is overloaded with a souvenir industry. Furious roar everywhere! So merchants attract tourists with special whistles in the shape of Jaguar's head. This predator is a sacred animal for the Mayan people, he allegedly scares evil spirits.

Being here, at the same time experiencing an insurmountable curiosity and mystical horror from touching something unknown and gloomy. No distracting factors can interrupt this inspiring communication with deep past!

Magnetism Chichen Itsa

When and by whom the city was built

This is one of the oldest Indian cities. Buildings are scattered on the huge territory of the jungle and well preserved.

Part of the Mayan Iza tribe settled here in the 4th century BC. "Chi" in the Language of Maya - mouth or mouth, "Chen" means a well, ICA - those Maya, who were the first people on earth according to the legends. Abandoned to the 7th century of our Millennium city settled Toltec, a special highly educated Caste Maya.

What you have to view

The city has two parts: new (Northern) Chichen and Old (South) Chichen. In the northern part there is a business card of the entire complex of the Pyramid of Cukulkan with a unique acoustics. The sound is reflected from its walls.

Nearby are: Temple of Warriors with Altar - Chuck-Moole Sculpture, Temple of jaguarov, a ball for playing a ball with an acoustic effect that cannot explain the science of our time, a group of thousands of columns and Temskalley is an ancient Indian bath.

The road in the jungle will lead to
the very deep (about 50 m) is a natural karst water in the ancient city of Holy Senot. There Mayans worshiped the Rain God. Total in the territory of Chichen Itza 13 of such water bodies.

In the southern part, the snail is of particular interest - the Mayan Observatory, in the roundabout of the dome of which holes are made in a special manner. There ancient scientists watched the stars. This name is due to the spiral staircase inside. It is not clear where the ancient Tolteci received such deep knowledge of astronomy.

Chichen-Itsa - famous for the Earth

Toltec is a special Caste Maya, transmitting skills and skills in construction and art, scientific and religious knowledge through generations. I am expressed by the language of Esoteric, Chichen Itza is one of the greatest places of power on Earth. Even in terms of one hundred percent atheist, the presence of some special energy here is indisputable here! And such places always attract a huge number of people.

Bloody rituals and traditions

The ancient people Maya sacred believed that the best way to "arrange" with the gods about the future of well-being - sacrifices. Brutally and publicly in favor of the gods of the priests killed animals and people.

Chichen churches saw a lot of blood and suffering. Probably so it becomes scratched.

Chuck-wow - common stone human figures with a tray on the stomach served in Toltecs in places of sacrifice. Human hearts gave to the mercy of bloodthirsty gods!

And when consecrated of a new temple or on religious holidays, even small children became victims.

After the game in the ball, sacrifices were also often committed, as evidenced by the preserved frescoes on the walls
stadiums. It is believed that the victim became the captain of the winning team. The victim was a high honor and a guarantor of happiness in the future life.

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 Kukulkan 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