El Castillo is the most photographed image on the site, perhaps even in all of Mexico. It is impressive to be sure and holds an amazing story. The original ruin on this site was built by the Maya when they first occupied this site. When the Toltec invaded, they built their own pyramid over top of the original, which survives intact within it. The original Mayan ruin boasts a red jaguar throne with inlaid spots and eyes of jade. Until two years ago, it was open to the public, reached by a passage dug upward inside the newer pyramid. Because of damage being done by the visitors and the effects of the high humidity created by all the people, this passage was closed to the public in 2007. It was a true loss to the visitors, although probably necessary to protect the structure.
The newer structure is actually a Maya calendar. El Castillo has nine levels, each divided in two by a staircase. This creates eighteen separate terraces, relating to the eighteen 20 day months of the Mayan year. The four stairways have 91 steps each. Adding the top platform gives us the 365 days of the year. Each facade of the pyramid has 52 flat panels, the number of years in the Mayan “Calendar Round”.
As an additional attraction, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, light and shadow forms a series of triangles mimicing the creep of a serpent as it ascends the pyramid on March 20-21 and descends on September 21-22. The site is so packed with tourists at these times it is almost impossible to see anything.
So, did you climb the castillo at Chichen Itza?? When I was there 4 years ago we went to the top. That wasn't so bad, but coming down is quite a trip..
ReplyDeleteRod W
No climbing allowed any more Rod. Too many tourists doing damage so they shut it down two years ago. I can't understand the mentality of someone who would chip a piece off to take home, but there are idiots out there who do it.
ReplyDeleteThe pyramid is completely roped off now, you can't get within five feet of it.