Skywatch #126: Sky above Chichen Itza

The centerpiece of my Cancun vacation. The long bus ride from Cancun reached its destination. CHICHEN ITZA. Chichen Itza means "at the mouth of the well of Itza". There are many ruins in this ancient city, the pyramid or El Castillo is the main attraction, being one of the most popular and recognized tourist sites of Mexico and as of 07/07/07 it has become one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

For this post I will focus on the pyramid.

EL CASTILLO

El Castillo (Kukulkan-Quetzalcoatl) a square-based step pyramid was built for astronomical purposes and during the vernal equinox (March 20) and autumnal equinox (Sept 21) the sun bathes the western balustrade of the pyramid's main stairway. This causes seven isosceles triangles to form the body of a huge serpent 37 yards long that creeps downwards until it joins the huge serpent's head at the bottom of the stairway. This is what they call the "symbolic descent of Kukulkan (the feathered serpent) - this is a huge tourist draw. Our tour guide in Puerto Vallarta informed us that one must make reservations for this event months in advance.

El Castillo served as a temple to the god Kukulkan and is believed to have served as a calendar. Each of the structure's four stairways contains 91 steps. When counting the top platform as another step, in total El Castillo has 365 steps, one step for each day of the year.


The structure is 24 m (78 ft) tall, plus and additional 6 m (20 ft) for the temple top for a total height of 30 m (98 ft). The square base measures 55.3 m (181 ft) across.

Climbing to the top of the pyramid is no longer allowed - sigh - we were a few years late in visiting.

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Map
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The magnificent pyramid.  I was skywatching.
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Excavations next to the pyramid started in 2009.
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I am eager to find out what else they will unearth.
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This side is where the acoustics was excellent.  The guide demonstrates how when you clap on this side, you will hear echoes coming from the left side.  It was amazing.
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People were advised to come here in early morning as the sun could get "punishing" - that is the word they used - but we were lucky to have pleasant weather - not too hot and there was breeze every so often - even though we arrived after lunchtime. 

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On deck: Other ruins in Chichen Itza

Comments

  1. so it's really hot in Mexico! I heard others say the sun in Cambodia is unforgiving, pero jan punishing! =)

    more pyramids pls!

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  2. Oh too bad you cannot climb to the top, anymore. But then 365 steps hmmm I don't think many would be bold enough to venture upwards. Hehe

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  3. I'll send the link of your post to my friend. I think she missed this place when they visited Cancun. Nice captures especially the Photo#2.

    Cancun must be really nice place to visit.

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  4. oh wow! that's one of my dream structure. ive been wanting to see one.

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  5. I love their architecture, they were artists and their constructions had, all of them, mystic and religious meanings. Love how you got the colour of the stone.

    Regards

    Valery

    [Barcelona Daily Photo]

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  6. i can't help but sigh! you inspire me to travel this year, although nearby places probably :)

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  7. I am so glad you had good weather. This was a fascinating post and fantastic shots. A truly amazing place.

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  8. I heard climbing the pyramid is not allowed anymore and, in fact, I don't see anyone there. Do you confirm this? Wonderful shots.

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  9. wow...great photos. i'd love to see this one day. more please.

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  10. very cool place to visit. Great shots.

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  11. Oh, I love Chichen-Itza! In fact I had to get out my photos from there after reading your post! Your photos are terrific and brought back such fun memories of my visit there several years ago! Hope you have a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  12. WOW! What a great place for a vacation!

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  13. very nice thanks for sharing that w/ us my husband has been here but I think I may never get there except through photos

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  14. What a beautiful sky to enhance the beauty of the pyramid! You picked the right day to be there!

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  15. I only see this in History channel or Discovery. A great place to visit. Thanks for sharing!
    Sky Watch Friday

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  16. Gosh, I'm playing this FB game where I had to build this masterpiece :D what a grand experience seeing it for real!

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  17. Wonderful place! Thanks for showing:)
    Have a nice weekend.
    Joo

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  18. Fantastic shots of the pyramid and also of the blue, blue sky!

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  19. Thank you for posting, I love history and it makes me imagine how the people built that magnificent structure, very informative.
    Btw I was away, that's why I wasn't able to blog. Thanks for the visit.

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  20. Awesome place, and great photos.

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  21. That is an amazing structure! The history is interesting also. I would love to climb those steps. Your last shot is beautiful with the tree framing.

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  22. Awesome! The pyramid reminds me of the adventures of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull!

    Never been to Cancun.

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  23. I wonder whatever happened to the people who had the genius to build those structures? I read somewhere that they were wiped out by diseases that Europeans brought to Central America. Anyway, Mexican pyramids ought to be attracting a lot more tourists now that Egypt is in turmoil.

    Thanks for sharing and I hope that you're enjoying much better weather over there than I am out here. :)

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  24. You had a beautiful sky as a backdrop for this amazing structure.
    They are forcasting stormy weather for us next week so perhaps you will see snow if you can get to Yosemite this month.

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  25. Great photos--I've been there and enjoyed the sights too. Mickie

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  26. what a beautiful pyramid. looks like a wonderful place to explore around.

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  27. Looks like you enjoyed your vacation. Beautiful pictures and great weather at your side.

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  28. Back when I was in my 20s, Maria, I had the good fortune to be able to climb one of the pyramids outside Mexico City (the Sun pyramid, I think). I don't know if they are allowed to climb it anymore but back then, it was very scary. You had to climb down it like you would a ladder...backwards. I had the feeling that I would fall off it standing up straight! I know seeing these places must have been so surreal for you!

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  29. I think I told you that my son visited Mexico during the past December/January, with his girlfriend. His comments was: 1) Cancun too much americanised; he missed the mexican ambience. 2) He had pictures of this same place, lamenting the lack of 'climb the stairs' opportunity - especially when all brochures show people allover the pyramids. 3)Many mexican dishes are tasteless (or tasted of flour), not like the mexican stuff you buy in a supermarket. They learnt soon enough which were the good dishes. 4) Apparently you are not allowed to flush toilet paper - yeow! 5) The mexicans sleep a lot, and are nice enough once woken. 6) The good food is good and the tequila is brilliant 7) Some very good guitarists and guitaristes in that country 8) Oaxaca is a nice town to visit 9) Met only one mexican (waiter in Cancun), who knew there is a place like south africa.

    That is the gist of the first 10 minutes after I picked them up at the airport :-)

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  30. Gosh! I'm so envious! I was browsing Nomadic Matt's website before and he has a post abt the wonders of the world, and most readers who commented chose Chichen Itza as their top choice. :) yeah, too bad climbing is no longer allowed.

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  31. What a beautiful pyramid... interesting story about its purpose !

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  32. Awesome picture, gorgoeus place :)

    Have a fantastic weekend.

    cheers from Uruguay :)

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  33. I am jealous! I'd like to go there sometime...

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  34. Fantastic pyramide! And what a great place to look at the sky.
    Wish you a happy weekend!

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  35. ahhh too bad you can't go to the top anymore, but either way,looks like a great place to visit. Great post and pics, I'd love to check it out at some point!

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  36. Pyramid great. I love it. more photos please :p

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  37. Kinda rhymes with Chicken Pizza. Hehe.

    I have a souvenir tote bag and notepad from Chichen Itza...from other people, not my own trip. :P

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  38. Smart of you to pick a time to go to this fascinating pyramid in Chichen Itza when the sun was not punishing!

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  39. A wonderful place to skywatch! Great photos, brought back some nice memories from my trip there.

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  40. What a beautiful place! Love all your photos.

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  41. It's quite an impressive structure and looks terrific against the blue skies. The wonders of Mexico! Looking forward to hearing about your cruise. I'm having a good time up here in the PNW. It's cold and windy...a nice change from the Bay Area!

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  42. take it from your guide - an umbrella is a must while visiting Chichen Itza. It's either too sunny, to rainy or a combination of both!

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  43. A fine series of this marvelous place. I like how well you captured the textures and rock colors. The skull series was the most striking to me. Well done.

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  44. What a splendid pyramid and beautiful place! Great shots, Maria!

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