7 wonder of the world-CHICHEN ITZA - Yucatan Mexico

Chichen Itza, pronounced
chee-chehn eet-sah is the capital of
Yucatan State, Mexico.
This is the ancient sacred Mayan
city of Itza whose name translates
as ‘mouth of the Well of Itza’.
In the Mayan language
Chi means mouth, Chen means
well and Itza is just the name
given to the tribe who inhabit
the area.

Kukulkan's Pyramid

Probably the most recognised attraction
of the Mayan ruins of Chichen
itza this magnificent pyramid is called
‘El Castillo del Serpiente Emplumado’
meaning ‘Castle of the Plumed Serpent’.
When the pyramid was in its
original state it had 4 stairways,
one on each side, each with 91 steps.
This makes a total of 364 steps,
add this to the one common step
and you get a total of 365 steps,
possibly one for each day of
the year.

There is a general misconception
that the one common step is the
one all around the top, but it is that
the common step is the ground
and the people of Maya had an
advanced number system that
started at zero.

Either way there are 365 which
could be a direct representation
of the number of
days in the year.






Further to enhance the theory that
this building has a strong link
to the calendar there is a
phenomenon that happens
twice a year on the spring and
autumn equinox.
The light shines in such a way
that it lights up seven
triangular shapes down
one side of the
El Castillo pyramid.

This is said to represent the
body of a serpent which cascades
down the pyramid until it joins
the carved serpents head at
the foot of the stairway.
If this was intended during
construction, and there is no
evidence to suggest otherwise,
you have got to admit
this is amazing.





Another interesting fact about the
pyramid is its acoustic properties
and how it affects sound
made in front of the steps.
If you visit chichén itzá often
jokingly referred to by visitors
as Chicken pizza your guide
will no doubt show you this
but if he doesnt or you
don’t go with a guide
make sure you try this out.


Stand anywhere in front
of the steps
(can be quite a way away)
and clap, instead of hearing
a clapping noise you will hear a
kind of twanging noise.
This is said to be the echo
of the Quetzal bird chirping
back at you from the top
of the main pyramid.

There are a number of
videos on youTube
if you want to here this
noise for yourself, here is
an example if it is still active.

zzzyy-wish someday i can be there....