In the west part of the state, 120 km from Merida, there is the most impotent and the best restored archeological site of Yucatan, the awesome Chichen Itza: the “ mouth of Itzaes well ”.
Three undred hectares covered with a rich vegetation and wonderful ruins, dating back to the ninths century a.C. builded by the Itzaes. El Castello or Kukulcan pyramid, 30 meters high, overlooks the old town and attests the perfect cosmic knowledge of old Mayas.
At the equinoxes, Kukulcan, the Feathered Snake, goes down the steps of the pyramid in march and goes up in September to join the snake head that decorates the stairs extremity.
This fascinating archeological and astronomical phenomenon is produced by a series of small luminous triangles that forms in the darken side of the main stairs.
The Chichen Itza site, dating back to the late Classic Age, is due to the relationships between the Mayas and the people in the Mexican area between the years 900 and 1100 and their conquest in the tenth century, by the Toltechis, that continued its building, adding some eagles and feathered snakes.
The prominence of the seven pyramid-temples on the grass rug extending to the horizon and the existence of at least 500 thousand residents, before the Spanish arrival , made this town the largest in the world in that age.
What to see:
Chichen Itza, Coba, Palenque, Rio Lagartos, Xcaret, Xelha, Tulum