Chichén Itzá: Historic Wonder and Astronomical Center of the Maya Civilization

The pre-Hispanic city of Chichén Itzá is one of the most remarkable wonders of the Maya civilization, and served as the center of the Maya Empire in Central America from 750 to 1200. The step pyramids, temples, colonnaded galleries and stone structures at Chichén Itzá were not only religious structures but also the complex urban center of the empire.

The most prominent and well-known feature here is the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo. This pyramid demonstrates the precision and importance of Maya astronomy, as well as the strong influence of the Toltec civilization, who invaded around 1000 and merged the two cultural traditions. The temple has 365 steps, 91 on each side, and the top step forms the 365th step, symbolizing the number of days in a year.

Incredibly, on the two equinoxes of spring and autumn each year, a snake silhouette appears on the pyramid as the sun sets, with the snake’s shadow crawling down the steps to eventually merge with the stone snake head at the foot of the grand staircase. This is a testament to the Maya’s remarkable astronomical skills, which could even predict solar eclipses.

In addition to being a religious center, Chichén Itzá was also a major commercial center in the region. However, in the 15th century, the people abandoned the city and sank into the jungle. Although they left behind many works of architecture and art, they did not leave a clear reason for their departure. Scientists believe that drought, land depletion, and wars in search of wealth may have been the causes of the city’s collapse.