Chichén Itzá was already a center of note during the Classic period. A group of warriors and merchants called the Itzá Maya moved into Chichén in the 10th century, making it the center of a unified Yucatán. The city's Maya-Mexican period ran from A.D. 850-1250, though it was in decline by 1150 and abandoned by 1250, for reasons unknown.
The earliest architecture, such as Las Monjas in Old Chichén, is built in the Puuc style and belongs to the Late Classic period (A.D. 600-900), as does El Caracol or Observatory.
The Castillo or Kukulcán Pyramid, the Ballcourt, Warrior's Temple, Temple of 1000 Columns, and the Tzompantli platform are sited around the Great Plaza in New Chichén, also known as Toltec Chichén. The Sacred Cenote, connected to the Great Plaza by a ceremonial road called a sacbe, is considered part of the Great Plaza grouping. Chichén Itzá is located about 200 km west of Cancún, via Highway 180.
Chichén Itzá was already a center of note during the Classic period. A group of warriors and merchants called the Itzá Maya moved into Chichén in the 10th century, making it the center of a unified Yucatán. The city's Maya-Mexican period ran from A.D. 850-1250, though it was in decline by 1150 and abandoned by 1250, for reasons unknown.
The earliest architecture, such as Las Monjas in Old Chichén, is built in the Puuc style and belongs to the Late Classic period (A.D. 600-900), as does El Caracol or Observatory.
The Castillo or Kukulcán Pyramid, the Ballcourt, Warrior's Temple, Temple of 1000 Columns, and the Tzompantli platform are sited around the Great Plaza in New Chichén, also known as Toltec Chichén. The Sacred Cenote, connected to the Great Plaza by a ceremonial road called a sacbe, is considered part of the Great Plaza grouping. Chichén Itzá is located about 200 km west of Cancún, via Highway 180.
© 2004 Editorial Veras. La guía Oficial del Caribe Mexicano.