It’s impossible to talk about Mexico’s Mayan ruins and leave out Chichen Itza. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is known around the world, and its image is one of Mexico’s most recognized.
Located in the state of Yucatan, part of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Chichen Itza was a thriving Mayan city that dates back to around the 5th century.
It was one of the largest cities in the Mayan world, spread over approximately two square miles. It bustled as a hub of commerce and had residences, religious monuments, and even its own suburbs.
One of the highlights of Chichen Itza is El Castillo, a mathematically and scientifically designed step pyramid that is the best manifestation of the Mayans’ understanding of astronomy.
There are 365 steps (one for each day of the year), and twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow appears on the pyramid that takes the shape of a serpent – a tribute to the most important Mayan god, Kukulcan, a feathered serpent.
