1. Chichen Itza
A guided tour
Image by Dennis Jarvis

2. The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza is not just a must visit on any Mexico holiday- it's a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the
World.
Over a thousand years ago when much of Europe was in the dark ages, the now ancient city of
Chichen Itza (just 100 miles from Cancun) was home to a complex civilization who practiced
mathematics, astronomy and medicine, and whose sacrificial rituals, myths and treasure troves
are the stuff of legend.
Although the great Mayan civilization is no more, you can visit the ruins of Chichen Itza - and
even pay to camp overnight in the city's grounds. But there's so much to see that you'll need to
do your research in advance and pin-point which of the city's temples and sites you most want
to visit. That's where our handy landmark list should help …
Image
via
Kuoni

3. El Castillo
El Castillo (or the Pyramid of
Kukulcan) is the most famous
landmark associated with Chichen
Itza. This towering pyramid was
dedicated to the Mayan serpent god
Kukulcan, and was designed by the
ancient Mayans so that at the sunrise
and sunset of the spring and autumn
equinoxes, the pyramid casts a
shadow of the plumed serpent god
which seems to slither down to earth
as the sun moves. Inside the interior
temple (at the very top of the
Pyramid) is King Kukulcan's Jaguar
Throne - a stone throne painted red
with jade spots. It's thought to have
been one of Chichen Itza's holiest and
most visited places - quite literally the
city's seat of religious and kingly
power.
Image by Jim G

4. The Temple of the Warriors
At the temple of the warriors, the ancient Mayans
brought conquered enemy soldiers and warriors to be
sacrificed to the gods by having their beating hearts cut
from their chests.
Image by Jim G

5. The Skull Platform
The grisly named Skull Platform or "Wall of Skulls" is a
long carved wall where the ancient Mayan's displayed the
severed heads of sacrifices and defeated warriors. It and
the Temple of the Warriors are must see attractions for
anyone intrigued by the grisly sacrifices of ancient times.
Image by Frank Kovalchek

6. The Court of the Thousand Columns
Just outside the Temple of the
Warriors is 'the thousand
columns' - an expanse of
bare, carved columns that
once would have been roofed.
Experts say the roof would
even have had guttering - to
collect and carry rainfall to
other areas of the city, like
Itza's steam baths. So it really
is an ancient wonder that will
make you think about how
advanced the people who
once built and lived there
were.
Image by Pascal

7. The Great Ball Court
The Nou Camp or Circus
Maximus of its day - the
Great Ball Court at Chichen
Itza was a sporting arena
where warriors competed
in teams against one
another to show their skill
at ball games. You'll find
the ball court just to the
north west of El Castillo.
Make sure to look out for
the goal hoops embedded
30ft high in the court's
walls.
Image by Jim G

8. The Nunnery Complex
Thought to have once been the royal palace of the family
ruling over Chichen Itza, the nunnery complex is a huge
temple that's thought to be one of the city's oldest
buildings. One of the complex's entrances is carved in the
shape of a face - with the mouth being its grand entrance
point. Here the kings and queens of Chichen Itza would
have lived in splendour with their children and entourage
- hosting audiences with other leaders of the Mayan
world and high priests. It's unknown what the Maya
called the palace as the Spanish Conquistadors named it
the nunnery as some of the carvings reminded them of
Spanish monasteries and nunneries.

9. El Caracole
El Caracole - or the observatory
- was named by the Spanish
Conquistadors who toppled the
Mayan civilization, as it
reminded them of a snail with
its spiral staircase. Experts
believe the observatory was
one of Chichen Itza's most
important sites as here up to 8
people would map and learn
more about the heavens. As
astronomy was so heavily linked
to their religious worship, it's
possibly one of Itza's holiest
places.
Image by Frank Kovalchek

10. The Sacred Cenote
The sacred Cenote is a
well worshipped by the
Mayans because of it
was believed that the
rain god Chaak lived
under the water. In
times of drought, jewels
and human sacrifices
were thrown into the
well to help bring more
rains.
Image by Michael Miley