Chichen Itza is one of the most amazing travel destinations

Chichen Itza is the most famous, spectacular and consequently, most frequently visited of Mexico’s Mayan sites. This magnificent metropolis was the principal ceremonial centre of the Yucatan. The 7-square-mile site (2 sq miles of jungle have been cleared) was inhabited about 800 years ago, as early as AD 432 , during the Mayan classic Period and ending with the arrival of the Toltec People. Here, the serpent god, Kukulkan, last king of the Mayan Indians, ruled with fear and death . Of these ancient buildings, the awesome Temple of Kukulkan is the most fearsome and awe inspiring!!

During the European Dark Ages, man strove to survive. In the Yucatan, at the same time, man was thriving - studying the stars, creating a calendar and producing great cities such as Chichen Itza.

Between AD 500 and 1200, the Maya built this vast centre, which is the most complete ruined Mayan city in the entire Yucatan Peninsula. It was a ceremonial and commercial centre where hundreds of people lived.

One of the highlights of this magnificent 15 sq km site is El Castillo, a beautifully proportioned pyramid crowned by a temple, dedicated to the cult of Kukulcan. This pyramid also had something to do with the Mayan calendar, for it has exactly 365 steps, a 45-degree staircase and nine levels. During both equinoxes, the play of light and shadow on the staircases simulates a serpent in the desert.

We spent about 3 hours at this sacred place, feeling the energy, walking around and around the famous temple (no one is allowed to climb the stairs to the top anymore for fear of crumbling). The famous temple was portrayed in Mel Gibson’s movie - Apocalypto.

Next to this temple is the famous arena , where the games were played at that time. After the game, the team that lost, would often be killed or sacrificed to the Gods!! Scary!!! We walked down to the big hole where it happened many many moons ago. This place is now half filled with water and trees, but you can still imagine what happened here thousands of years ago!!

Here's a really good site, actually an online magazine about living, working and traveling in Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

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