What was Chichen Itza built for?
It was constructed prior to 800 CE and was used as an astronomical observatory, especially of Venus, and perhaps was also a temple to Kukulcan in his guise as the god of the winds.
Is Chichen Itza Mayan or Aztec?
Chichen Itza was a Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Although it’s an important tourist attraction, Chichen Itza also remains an active archeological site.
Who built Chichen Itza pyramid?
It was probably built by the Toltec-Maya between 1050 and 1300 CE when the rest of the Maya population was dwindling. It’s famous not only for the descent of Kukulcán but also for its relationship to the Maya calendar. Each of the pyramid’s four sides has a staircase of 91 steps.
What were the pyramids in Mexico used for?
Civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca all built pyramids to house their deities, as well as to bury their kings. In many of their great city-states, temple-pyramids formed the center of public life and were the site of holy rituals, including human sacrifice.
Is Chichen Itza worth a visit?
Chichen Itza is also home to the largest ball court in Mesoamerica, an ancient observatory, and a few other structures, including the Temple of the Warriors and the Mercado, that are worth visiting. But because of all this, it is also one of the most visited and most crowded Maya archaeological sites.
Why is Chichen Itza so important?
Chichen Itza as a Pilgrimage center. Because it was the origin of many of the important lineages of northern Yucatán, and an indispensable reference of legitimation, it was the capital of the Sacred Cenote that became the most important pilgrimage center of the Mayan Peninsula, only rivaled by the Island of Cozumel .
How many people visit Chichen Itza each year?
Tourists visit Chichen Itza in Peru is one of the popular sites. There are 1.4 million visitors who visit this site every year. The daily intake of visitors is limited to preserve the site from corrosion and damage.
What to see in the ruins of Chichen Itza?
10 Things to See in Chichen Itza Temple of Kukulkan. Located in the center of an open court stands the Temple of Kukulkan, also referred to as El Castillo (the castle in Spanish). Temple of the Warriors. The Temple of the Warriors is a large stepped pyramid that was named after the surrounding carved columns depicting warriors. El Caracol. Main Ball Court. Temple of the Skulls.