Chichén Itzá, the ancient
city whose name means "in the mouth at the Itzáe's Well", was, in its time of grandeur (between 800 and 1200 A.D.),
the centre of political, religious and military power in Yucatán, if not all of South-eastern Meso America. Chichén Itzá
was a large city with a great many inhabitants, distributed around the architectural nucleii which we observe as
ruins, who had a relatively easy access to the water coming from the various caves and Cenotes of the region. The
city is divided into two principal areas: Chichén Viejo (Old Chichén) and Chichén Nuevo (New Chichén). The new
Chichen Itza,
Piste, village is about one mile beyond the ruins.
The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are over 1500 years old and are located only 75 miles from
Merida. The tour of the old civilization
(ancient city) is a joy to behold, the rainbow arches, the El Castillo, the ballcourt, the Serpent head sculptures.
