Another aspect of Chichen Itza, the symbol of the Maya, has withstood the test of time for over a thousand years. The Maya built Chichen Itza around 750 A.D, and lasted until about 1200 A.D (NatIonal Geographic). It was the home to over 50,000 people at the peak time of the city (Hidden Cancun). During the peak of the Mayan empire, Chichen Itza was the urban center of the Maya. If someone were to go back a thousand years, they would see a huge number of people and shops running all around the city. The name "Chichen Itza" originates from a large sinkhole called by the Maya the Sacred Cenote (ancient.eu). Cenotes were sacred to the people of the Maya; they were …show more content…
the lifeline of Chichen Itza by providing the city with water. Chichen Itza was one of the most beautiful, largest, and sacred cities in the entire continent until it met its demise approximately 850 years ago.
Many also believe the pyramid El Castillo, also known as Kukulcan by the Maya, is one of the most astonishing structures in the whole world.
El Castillo was constructed by the Maya at approximately 1050 A.D (National Geographic). It is a marvel of ancient engineering; not only the size of the pyramid, but the intelligence needed to creat a structure like it. First of all, there are 91 steps on each of the four sides of the pyramid, and with the top step it totals 365 (National Geographic). This represents the 365 days of the year. Another feature developed into the pyramid is the Serpent of the Equinox. Every spring and fall equinox the light reflects just right on the pyramid, and forms a huge serpent that appears to be moving down the pyramid (ancient.eu). El Castillo is a very complex and sophisticated pyramid that symbolizes the entire Maya
empire.
Chichen Itza has also been a hotspot for tourists for years now, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. First off, hundreds of thousands of people flock to view Chichen Itza every year to witness it's true beauty. The busiest time of the year is during the equinoxes, since people want to view the serpent (ancient.eu). Lastly, the best time of year to view the Chichen Itza ruins is during the morning of the winter months (National Geographic). The morning is the least busy time, and winter is the mildest temperature for comfortable traveling. Chichen Itza is one of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico for families.
Chichen Itza was once the largest city of the Maya. They built huge monolithic structures that were used for sacrifice, astronomy, and honoring their gods. They incorporated ingenious designs into there building, such as the serpent or steps. It has also become a huge tourist attraction in the last 100 years. Chichen Itza has only been partly discovered, people have yet to witness all of the wonders of this Mayan city