Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Chichen Itza is one of the largest Mayan cities in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Buildings date from around 900AD, although there were earlier developments on the site. The largest stepped pyramid on the site is the Temple of Kukulcan (a feathered serpent deity) or El Castello, is about 100ft high. I traveled with Aqua Firma, (https://www.aqua-firma.com/).

Temple of Kukulcan, the feathered serpent deity

Nearby is the Great Ball Court, 550ft long by 230ft wide. Players used a ball made of Panama Rubber, Castilla elastica, not that in current use for rubber products. Carbon dating of balls from archeological finds demonstrates that the game apparently goes back to about 1,000BC.

The Large Ball Court
The Large Ball Court
Loop high up on the wall of the Ball Court
The Large Ball Court

The Wall of Skulls
Platform of the Eagle and Jaguars
Temple of Venus
The ‘Nunery’
The Temple of Warriors
The pillars denote Warriors
Temple of Warriors
The Observatory
Temple of the Grand Priest
Iguanas roam free
Stalactites in the Xkeken Cenote
Stalactites in the Xkeken Cenote