Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza

A guided tour

Image by Dennis Jarvis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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