Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza – is the oldest city in Mexico, which has acted as the political and cultural center of Maya. Its location is the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. The city is small and stretches for 6 km. The name of the ancient city of Chichen-Itsa has several translations, the meaning of which is « The mouth of the well of the Itsa tribe ». According to scientists, the main religious force was located here, which is associated with the culture and faith of the Mayan peoples.
The ruins of an ancient city in the middle of Mexico are divided into two main groups. The first includes those remains that were erected around the VI — VII centuries. n e., when the culture of the Mayan peoples triumphed here. Facilities in this territory in the X — XI centuries. n e. associated with the Toltecs that the Chichen-Itsu won at this time. As sources say, Chichen-Itsa in the 11th century was the Toltek capital.
Among all the attractions of the ancient Mexican city, the Kukulkan pyramid, whose height is 25 meters, deserves special attention, and a temple is located on its very upper platform. The sides of the base of the pyramid are 55.5 meters in size, and the construction itself is formed from 9 levels. The pyramid is led by stairs, which number 91 steps. The real decoration of the stairs is sculptures in the form of the heads of snakes, which is a symbol of Kukulkan.
Scientists believe that the Kukulkan pyramid, located in the middle of the city, has an astronomical character and most of all that it served as a kind of calendar.
Well enough preserved, « Temple of Warriors » remained, which today is a significant attraction of Chichen-Itsy. This building has come to this day without a roof, but the details themselves have been well preserved. Many columns are erected here, which symbolize the soldiers. Among these structures is a sculpture of Chuck-Mool, which is an image of the deity of the Totelian population. The hands of the sculpture hold a tray, where parishioners carried gifts, and also lit fire.
In the settlement of Chichen-Itsa, archaeologists found a number of well-preserved structures, including 4 colonnades, an observatory, several stadiums, as well as many different sculptures.
As history shows, near 1200, local residents left Chichen-Itsu, which was the conquest of the city by the Mayapan army.
The oldest city of Chichen-Itsa has been attached to the UNESCO list and today, it is a very popular tourist destination. Archaeologically important excavations of the city are mysterious, which is associated with the culture and faith of the Mayan tribe. All this gives an excursion to the ancient Chichen-Itsu features and uniqueness.
