* Name UNESCO
** UNESCO Geographical Classification change

Chichen Itza is an ancient city Mayan between Valladolid and Merida in the peninsula of Yucatan , in Mexico. Chichn Itz was probably the main religious center of the Yucatan and remains today one of the most important archaeological sites and most visited of the region. On 7 July 2007 , the area has been designated as one of the seven new wonders of the world after a poll conducted by the New Seven Wonders Foundation.

The presence of a Mayan city at this point is due to the presence of two natural wells ( cenotes ) which constituted a priceless treasure in this region without water. The site owes its name to this underground water source: Chi means "mouth" and Chen, "well" ^{Modern History Site}

At the time of the Conquest, the Spanish conquistadors gave the site the first capital of Yucatan (1532), but quickly abandoned . In the mid-nineteenth century, Chichen Itza was explored by John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood. In 1894, Edward Herbert Thompson said the acquisition of which was planted on the site. He was the first to climb the Mayan artifacts to the surface of the cenote (1904), first in the dredging, then dipping diving. The product was shipped excavations at the Peabody Museum. Following a complaint Teobert Maler , the Mexican government demanded the return of these archaeological treasures. In 1944, the Mexican Supreme Court issued a ruling in favor of Thompson. In 1959, given the continuing resentment of Mexicans, the Peabody Museum, restored some of the items . Scientific excavations were conducted extensive in the twentieth century by the Carnegie Institution , particularly under the leadership of Sylvanus Morley .

The principal remains of the site

Even the most casual visitor will not fail to note that two sectors coexist very different architecture at Chichen Itza: the southern sector, sometimes called "Old Chichen", whose buildings are close to those cities Puuc of Uxmal , Kabah or Labn , and north, sometimes called "New Chichen" the most impressive buildings, which resemble those of central Mexico, particularly Tula , the capital of the Toltecs. The designations "Old Chichen" and "New Chichen" refer to the Maya-Toltec theory, which sees the two styles will succeed in time.

The northern section is dedicated to Kukulkan , the feathered serpent. It consists of numerous buildings, the most important are:

• the Great Pyramid (Castillo);
• Caracol or the Observatory;
• Grand Playground ball;
• the sacred cenote ;
• the Ossario (ossuary) or falls from the High Priest;
• Group of the thousand columns;
• Temple of the Warriors;
• the Tzompantli

The southern sector consists of smaller buildings:

• Casa Colorada
• Casa del Venado
• Iglesia (Church)
• The Nunnery

In many places, one can detect traces of paint that reveal that unlike the uniformly gray appearance that the site offers us today, it was originally painted in bright colors.

El Castillo

The building's largest and most spectacular site is a large pyramid in terraces, called Castillo (castle in Castilian ) by the Conquistadors of Spain. At a height of 24 meters above the ground to the upper platform, it is not the highest in the region (eg it is lower than that of Uxmal , 40 meters high) but it is one that is in the best condition (it is also possible to climb to the summit, and has been since 2007, in a spirit of conservation). From the top of the pyramid, we can still see all the other buildings on site and the surrounding forest, an area of 300 hectares. Legend has it that the late tenth ^century, Chichen Itza has been occupied by the Toltecs driven by the legendary Quetzalcoatl , the Plumed Serpent, chased by a rival faction of the capital Toltec , Tula , north of the current Mexico. Castillo, attributed to these strangers, this architectural innovations that revolve around the theme of the Feathered Serpent.

The pyramid has a square base and a vocation calendar. Indeed, the Mayan civilization has developed an advanced degree in astro-architecture is to combine knowledge astronomical knowledge architecture.

Thus, the pyramid has four faces each divided into nine trays and carrying four staircases, each with 90 steps, not 91 as is believed by many people, indeed steps have been numbered recently to stop the rumors. The orientation and construction of the pyramid are such that precise timing of the equinoxes of spring and autumn, the sun product with the edges of the pyramid a shadow that makes us believe that big snake heads at the foot of the stairs of the pyramid are extended by the undulating body of a snake. This snake is none other than the god Kukulkan , or "feathered serpent". This causes a very large influx of tourists at that time.

The slope is quite steep stairs to climb and if generally pose few problems, dizziness forced frequent visitors to help set up a rope for this purpose for the descent. But since 2007, it is forbidden to climb the pyramid because of several deaths.

The Great Pyramid was built over a smaller, pre-existing: in 1936, archaeologists found this substructure buried beneath the building that tourists admire today. At its top is a small temple in a good state of preservation that contains a throne of stone carved in the shape of jaguar in the eyes of jade facing a Chac-Mool , which were placed offerings. A narrow tunnel whose entrance is located under the staircase can be accessed.

The only face different from all others is the north face, which has two small openings on the side. When you clap your hands a bird's cry comes back.

Observatory

The Observatory (also called caracol or snail in Spanish) faces the Great Pyramid and allowed the Maya to study the motion of stars they had very specific knowledge. It also allows to see the planet Venus attributed to the god Kukulcan (the main God Maya).