Where is Chichén Itzá located?

Chichén Itzá is one of the most famous archaeological sites of the Mayan civilization. It is located on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, a region rich in the remains of this ancient culture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chichén Itzá is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a title that testifies to its historical and architectural importance.

Chichén Itzá was a flourishing city between the 6th and 11th centuries, playing a central role in Mayan culture, politics and religion. Its name means “At the mouth of the Itzá well” in Mayan, referring to the cenotes, natural wells that supplied the city with water and were sometimes used for ritual sacrifices.

Chichén Itzá’s most famous monument is the Kukulcán pyramid, also known as El Castillo. This impressive 30-metre-high structure is dedicated to the feathered serpent god Kukulcán, the Mayan equivalent of Quetzalcóatl among the Aztecs.

The temple illustrates the Maya’s advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. Every year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, a play of light and shadow gives the illusion of a snake descending the steps of the pyramid, a phenomenon that testifies to the precision of Mayan astronomical calculations.

In addition to the Kukulcán pyramid, the site includes several remarkable buildings, including :

• The Great Ball Game, the largest known Mesoamerican playground, where sporting rituals with a strong religious connotation took place;
• The Temple of the Warriors, adorned with sculpted columns depicting warriors, testifying to the city’s military might;
• The Observatory (El Caracol), used by priest-astronomers to study the sky and draw up precise calendars;
• The Sacred Cenote, an immense natural well used for offerings and sacrifices in honor of the gods.

Chichén Itzá is distinguished by its Mayan and Toltec influences, making it a unique cultural crossroads. The Toltecs, who came from central Mexico, probably influenced the city’s architecture and social structure, contributing to its expansion and influence.

Towards the end of the 11th century, Chichén Itzá began to decline for reasons still debated by historians, including internal conflicts, climatic changes and the depletion of natural resources. The city was subsequently abandoned, but remained a sacred site for the Maya.

Today, Chichén Itzá is one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological sites, attracting over two million tourists every year. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Maya, and bears witness to their ingenuity and knowledge.

Its recognition as a wonder of the modern world in 2007 has reinforced its international appeal, making it a symbol of Mexican heritage and the legacy of pre-Columbian civilizations.

Located in Mexico, Chichén Itzá is an emblematic site of Mayan civilization, known for its impressive monuments, notably the Kukulcán pyramid. Its architecture, astronomical advances and cultural significance make it a world heritage treasure that fascinates researchers and visitors from all over the world.

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