Chichen Itza

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Chichen Itza, La Piramide de Kukulkan

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EL Castillo, or Kulkulkan's Pyramid is without question the most impressive monument in Chichen-Itza. It stands in the middle of a vast esplanade encircled by several other important buildings, allowing the visitor to admire from a distance its perfect proportions and design. It is a masterpiece of Toltec-Maya architectural genius.

The pyramid, sustained by a square base measuring 60 yards (55.5 mt) by side, is formed by nine terraced bodies with sloping walls whose faces are ornamented with protruding rectangular panels. On the center of each side of the pyramid rises a monumental stair way flanked by two straight balustrades. The four stairways lead to the platform that is at the top of the structure, where the temple was raised. The main stairway is on the northern side of the building and is easily recognizable because at the foot of each balustrade, resting on the ground, is the formidable stone sculpture of a plumed serpent's head. The entrance to the sanctuary also faces north and consists of a portico divided into three doors by two columns shaped like rattlesnakes in the purest Toltec style: their heads forming the base, their bodies the shaft and their tails the capital of the columns. The temple's vaulted chamber is borne by two pillars sculptured with the figures of warriors richly dressed, carvings that are repeated on the door jambs and are also Toltec in taste. The portico gives access to a narrow gallery that surrounds the temple, with openings to the other three stairways. The facade is adorned with a mask of God Chac above the doorway and a plain frieze between two thick, straight moldings, while the roof is crowned by merlons in the form of cross-sectioned conches, a reference to Quetzalcoatl as the God of Wind.

El Castillo was devoted to the cult of Kukulkan; yet, Maya experts who have studied its structure believe it was also connected with the worshiping of the sun. This is why: each stairway has 91 steps; consequently, the four stairways total 364 steps, plus the upper platform that constitutes one more step, add up to 365 steps, or the number of days in a solar year. Each side of the pyramid has 52 panels, a number equal to the years in a Toltec cycle. The nine terraced bodies that form the 4 faces of the pyramid are divided by a flight of stairs resulting in 18 sections, corresponding to the 18 months months of the Maya Calendar.

Another construction very similar to the one just described lies intact underneath. It is a pyramidal structure as well, - with a temple on top of it -, also formed by nine terraced bodies. Its stairway, however, has only 61 steps and the sanctuary is of a simpler style than the one above it, with just an inside shrine and an antechamber. The outside walls are adorned with entwined serpents, prowling tigers, coats of arms and rosettes. This inner structure most probably was one of the earliest erected by the Toltecs in the Yucatan Peninsula and is an excellent example of the religious custom of superposing one monument above the previous one at the end of a cycle of 52 years. (One bundle year = 52 years) In the antechamber of the older temple archaeologists found the reclining figure of a Chac-mool (meaning "Red Claw", possibly a messenger of the gods) with shell incrustations in his eyes, teeth and fingernails. Inside the shrine was the sculpture of a fierce - looking jaguar with open fauces, painted red and with spots of inlaid jade discs on his coat, his eyes made of jade balls and his fangs of flint, that probably served as a throne for the high priests. A beautiful offering was found on this seat, consisting of Turquoise mosaic disk delicately wrought. The entrance that leads to the inner structure is located at the base of the northern side of the exterior pyramid. Source: Chichen Itza-A Practical Guide and Photo Album.

Many people who write me ask me about the Hotel Mayaland. I have just received this information from Chuck Roberts who live down the road from me in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I asked Chuck if he could give me some information about his recent stay at the Hotel Mayaland in June of 1997 and this is what he said below.

What do you want to know? I think a double room was 850 pesos/night ($106.20 US dollars/night). A bungalow was about 1250 pesos/night ($156.25 US dollars/night). The exchange rate when we went was about 7.9 to 8 pesos per dollar. Rooms had fans and air conditioning, running water, 2 double beds. Service was very good. They had 3 restaurants and 3 pools. One of the restaurants was next to the main pool behind the hotel. Service was very good and there was usually someone at the front desk who spoke English.

They had transportation to Chichen Itza for free via Suburban. There are two other hotels within walking distance, which is where the taxis are if you want to go to the town of Piste. The other 2 hotels are Hotel Chichen and a hotel from Club Med (very expensive). Before we found the taxis, we had to take the free shuttle to Chichen Itza, then get a taxi to Piste. The taxi guy was very nice. We weren't sure how we were going to get back to the hotel so we arranged with the taxi guy to pick us up in about 1 hour. He insisted we don't pay him until the return trip, about 30 pesos (15 each way).

The Hotel Mayaland has horse back riding to old Chichen for about 30 pesos per person. Or a walking tour for about 35 pesos total (any number of people). You can see old Chichen by looking out the main lobby doors. The gardens they had surrounded the paths to the bungalows and they had lots of tropical plants. They are supposed to have lots of orchids too but they don't start blooming until December. I don't think they had room service.

All in all I think the Hotel Mayaland was expensive for Mexico. The Hotel Chichen down the road was more reasonable, we had a couple meals there. Also, I think Mayaland Tours (they own Hotel Mayaland) has a web page.

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	Unlock the mysteries of the ancient Mayan culture on this fascinating full day tour. Chichen Itza is a famous archaeological site of the mystical Maya-Toltec civilizations. Although excavations have been going on for many years, archaeologists can still only speculate about what happened here and why. One of the most awe-inspiring archaeological places you are ever likely to visit. Don't miss it!
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