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The Pyramid of Kukúlcan
or El Castillo
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Rising above the grassy plain in the center of Chichén
Itzá is the giant Pyramid of Kukulcán. Early
Spanish visitors to the city referred to the pyramid as El
Castillo (The Castle). |
Two of the four sides of this imposing structure
have been restored. Originally each side had 91 steps and with
the addition of the platform at the top there are 365 steps, one
for each day of the year. 
Further evidence that this building was linked to the Maya interest
in astronomy and calendars can be seen at both the
spring and autumn equinox
Here are two drawings of the Pyramid complex the
first leading
from the ballcourt complex the other from
on top of the Temple of the Warriors.
The Castle is composed of two structures superimposed
on one another. The later pyramid was built over an earlier structure.
The newer pyramid is about 55 meters (180 feet) on each side and
has nine stepped sections (terraces) rising up to 24 meters (78
feet). Archeologists believe that the nine different floors symbolized
the "Region of the Dead" to the ancient Maya.
Climbing to the top of the Castle one has an
excellent view of the surrounding area of Chichén Itza.
Here visitors will also find the upper temple with many images
of Chaac, the Maya rain god.
In the Temple of the Red Jaguar, an earlier
temple over which the present Castillo was built at a later date,
archeologists discovered the throne
of the jaguar (which may have been a throne for the high priest.)
and a
sculpture of the mysterious Chac-Mool figure (one of fourteen
examples which are found throughout Chichén Itza).
At the foot of the Northern stairway are found the
giant serpent heads representing Kukulcán, the god
of the Maya-Toltec conquerors.
In the mid 19th century explorers John Stevens
and Frederick Catherwood remarked on the impressive structure
which they found.
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El
Castillio
was the first building that we saw and from every point
of view the grandest and most conspicuous object that towers
above the plain. On the ground at the foot of the staircase
are two colossal serpents' heads, ten feet in length, with
mouths wide-open and tongues protruding. No doubt they were
emblematic of some religious belief.
Single doorways on top of the mounds (have)
lintels of sapote wood covered with elaborate carvings ...and
ornamented with sculptured figures ...much worn but the
head-dress, ornamented with a plume of feathers and portions
of the rich attire still remain.
We passed a whole day within this lofty chamber, from time
to time stepping out upon the platform to look down upon
the ruined building of the ancient city, and an immense
field stretching on all sides beyond.
(Excerpted from Travels in the Yucatan,
Stephens & Catherwood pp. 229-231). |
[Based on Let's Learn about Chichén-Itzá
, Chichén-Itzá: The City of the Wise Men
of the Water. by Roman Chan, All About the Mayas.
by C. Dorese. published by Producción Editorial Dante (Mérida,
Mexico) and Incidents of Travel in the Yucatan by Stephens
and Catherwood published by Smithsonian Institute Press (Washington
D.C.). All available in paperback and highly recommended.]
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