Chichén

Chichén Itzá is a major pre-Columbian Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The site lies near Pisté, in Yucatán state. Its name derives from the Maya language, with Itzá referring to the Itza’ lineage and Chichén commonly interpreted as related to water features, such as the mouth or edge of a cenote. The city flourished roughly between 750 and 1200 CE, spanning the Terminal Classic and early Postclassic periods, and served as a powerful regional hub that connected northern and southern Maya zones.

Architecturally, Chichén Itzá is noted for a monumental and diverse repertoire of structures. The most famous is El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcán, a step pyramid renowned for its astronomical alignments visible during equinoxes. Other prominent features include the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Sacred Cenote, a natural sinkhole used for ritual offerings and as a water source. The site also contains extensive complexes connected by sacbes, or raised roads, reflecting organized urban planning.

Chichén Itzá played a central role in trade, religion, and political life in the region. In its later period, architectural and artistic influences from other parts of the Maya world—and, in some cases, central Mexican traditions—appear in its monuments, illustrating the city’s dynamic intercultural connections.

After the 13th century, the city declined as regional power shifted to centers such as Mayapán. The site was rediscovered by Europeans in the post‑conquest era and later studied by archaeologists. In 1988, Chichén Itzá was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural wealth and its significance in Maya history. Today it is one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological sites and a global symbol of Maya heritage.