About Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and in terms of tourism is the most famous ancient protected area in the country. The city belonged to the Maya people. It was founded in the 600's (A.D) and up until today, has been very well preserved. It is said that Chichen Itza existed until the 1200s (A.D) and then was abandoned in the 14th century for an unknown reason. The name of the city means 'At the mouth of the well of the Itza' in Maya language. In history, Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities. It was the center of civilization in terms of religion, economy and politics. Besides the Maya, the Toltec which is one of the civilizations before the Maya people, were found to have superior construction abilities and it is said they have a share in the remains of the city. The reason for this is that the architectural motifs and patterns belonging to both cultures are seen on the buildings.
Also the layout of the buildings in the city shows that Maya and Toltec have superior skills in organising space. In recent years, the ancient city is the most visited tourist spot in Mexico, where its legacy has survived to the present day. The most iconic and important structure of Chichen Itza, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is 'El Castillo' or in Maya language 'Kukuul Kaan' which is the Pyramid of Kukulkan. It shows the depth of mathematics and astrology of the Mayans in the year 800s.
In the light of this information, the pyramid which was built at a height of 25 meters, has four faces with 91 steps on each which each represent a season. When the steps on these 4 faces are added together, including the temple at the top, is equal to 365, and that is the number of days in a year. It is also believed that the shadow that casts on the surface of the pyramid in the equinox of March 21 and September 23 symbolises the illusion of a godly feathered snake. In 2007, the Pyramid of Kukulcan Pyramid was named as one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World'. Also; Great Ball Court, Temple of the Warriors, Columns, El Mercado (marketplace), temple of Osario, Temple of Xtoloc Temple, El Caracol (observatory) and Akab Dzip (home of mysterious writings) are other artifacts in Chichen Itza. The city has a mild climate with significant rainfall throughout the year. Chichen Itza Airport is 14.2 km away from the ancient city.
