El Castillo - Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

El Castillo - Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

El Castillo - Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

El Castillo - Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

When the Franciscans arrived at Xichen Itza and witnessed the Mayans practicing their acts of faith - worshiping snakes as a sign of new life (as they shed their skin annually) and practicing human sacrifice - they were horrified. The Franciscans destroyed the temples, as you see here on two sides of El Castillo, removing bricks. The Franciscans then used those bricks to build a Catholic mission a short distance away. Two sides of El Castillo remain unrestored due to the fact that the bricks were used to build the mission that still stands today in the nearby village of Piste.

When the Franciscans arrived at Xichen Itza and witnessed the Mayans practicing their acts of faith - worshiping snakes as a sign of new life (as they shed their skin annually) and practicing human sacrifice - they were horrified. The Franciscans destroyed the temples, as you see here on two sides of El Castillo, removing bricks. The Franciscans then used those bricks to build a Catholic mission a short distance away. Two sides of El Castillo remain unrestored due to the fact that the bricks were used to build the mission that still stands today in the nearby village of Piste.

Explanation of the platform of Eagles and Jaguars - two sacred symbols of Mayan culture.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the plumed serpent balestrauds and the eagle clutching a human heart.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the plumed serpent balestrauds and the eagle clutching a human heart.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the plumed serpent balestrauds and the eagle clutching a human heart.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the plumed serpent balestrauds and the eagle clutching a human heart.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the eagle and jaguar clutching human hearts.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the eagle and jaguar clutching human hearts.

The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars. Here we see some of the intricate carvings - in particular, the eagle and jaguar clutching human hearts.

Carvings on the Platform of Eagle and Jaguar. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Carvings on the Platform of Eagle and Jaguar. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Carvings on the Platform of Eagle and Jaguar. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Explanation of the Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This structure was built between 900 and 1100 AD around the merger of the Mayan people and the Toltecs. The Mayas were a peaceful, agricultural society. The Toltecs were a society of warriors. It is believed that the Platform of the Skulls was built for the purpose of intimidation based on principles integrated from the Toltec culture.
Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This structure was built between 900 and 1100 AD around the merger of the Mayan people and the Toltecs. The Mayas were a peaceful, agricultural society. The Toltecs were a society of warriors. It is believed that the Platform of the Skulls was built for the purpose of intimidation based on principles integrated from the Toltec culture.
Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This structure was built between 900 and 1100 AD around the merger of the Mayan people and the Toltecs. The Mayas were a peaceful, agricultural society. The Toltecs were a society of warriors. It is believed that the Platform of the Skulls was built for the purpose of intimidation based on principles integrated from the Toltec culture.
Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This structure was built between 900 and 1100 AD around the merger of the Mayan people and the Toltecs. The Mayas were a peaceful, agricultural society. The Toltecs were a society of warriors. It is believed that the Platform of the Skulls was built for the purpose of intimidation based on principles integrated from the Toltec culture.
Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This structure was built between 900 and 1100 AD around the merger of the Mayan people and the Toltecs. The Mayas were a peaceful, agricultural society. The Toltecs were a society of warriors. It is believed that the Platform of the Skulls was built for the purpose of intimidation based on principles integrated from the Toltec culture.
Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This structure was built between 900 and 1100 AD around the merger of the Mayan people and the Toltecs. The Mayas were a peaceful, agricultural society. The Toltecs were a society of warriors. It is believed that the Platform of the Skulls was built for the purpose of intimidation based on principles integrated from the Toltec culture.
Platform of the Skulls. Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Many of the carvings at Xichen Itza were also originally painted. Here, you can see some of the original colors of red, gold and turquoise. This is one of the original, pure Mayan structures built near 400 AD, prior to the merger of the Mayan and Toltec civilizations.

Many of the carvings at Xichen Itza were also originally painted. Here, you can see some of the original colors of red, gold and turquoise. This is one of the original, pure Mayan structures built near 400 AD, prior to the merger of the Mayan and Toltec civilizations.

Many of the carvings at Xichen Itza were also originally painted. Here, you can see some of the original colors of red, gold and turquoise. This is one of the original, pure Mayan structures built near 400 AD, prior to the merger of the Mayan and Toltec civilizations.

Many of the carvings at Xichen Itza were also originally painted. Here, you can see some of the original colors of red, gold and turquoise. This is one of the original, pure Mayan structures built near 400 AD, prior to the merger of the Mayan and Toltec civilizations.

The Mayans were great sportsmen and built huge ballcourts to play their games, which were, to them, far more than a game. They were part of their religious rituals. Each end of The Great Ballcourt of Xichen Itza has a raised "temple" area. A whisper from one end can be heard clearly at the other end 545 feet away. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day or night. In 1931, Leopold Stokowski spent four days at the site to determine the acoustic principles such that he could apply them to open-air concert theaters. To this day, this acoustic marvel remains to be replicated.

The Mayans were great sportsmen and built huge ballcourts to play their games, which were, to them, far more than a game. They were part of their religious rituals. Each end of The Great Ballcourt of Xichen Itza has a raised "temple" area. A whisper from one end can be heard clearly at the other end 545 feet away. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day or night. In 1931, Leopold Stokowski spent four days at the site to determine the acoustic principles such that he could apply them to open-air concert theaters. To this day, this acoustic marvel remains to be replicated.

The Mayans were great sportsmen and built huge ballcourts to play their games, which were, to them, far more than a game. They were part of their religious rituals. Each end of The Great Ballcourt of Xichen Itza has a raised "temple" area. A whisper from one end can be heard clearly at the other end 545 feet away. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day or night. In 1931, Leopold Stokowski spent four days at the site to determine the acoustic principles such that he could apply them to open-air concert theaters. To this day, this acoustic marvel remains to be replicated.

The Mayans were great sportsmen and built huge ballcourts to play their games, which were, to them, far more than a game. They were part of their religious rituals. Each end of The Great Ballcourt of Xichen Itza has a raised "temple" area. A whisper from one end can be heard clearly at the other end 545 feet away. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day or night. In 1931, Leopold Stokowski spent four days at the site to determine the acoustic principles such that he could apply them to open-air concert theaters. To this day, this acoustic marvel remains to be replicated.

The Mayans were great sportsmen and built huge ballcourts to play their games, which were, to them, far more than a game. They were part of their religious rituals. Each end of The Great Ballcourt of Xichen Itza has a raised "temple" area. A whisper from one end can be heard clearly at the other end 545 feet away. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day or night. In 1931, Leopold Stokowski spent four days at the site to determine the acoustic principles such that he could apply them to open-air concert theaters. To this day, this acoustic marvel remains to be replicated.

The Great Ball Court of Xichen Itza measures 545 feet long by 225 feet wide overall. While the floor of the ballcourt has now all but grown over with grass, a few patches remain where we can still see the original tile floor.

The Great Ball Court of Xichen Itza measures 545 feet long by 225 feet wide overall. While the floor of the ballcourt has now all but grown over with grass, a few patches remain where we can still see the original tile floor.

The Great Ball Court of Xichen Itza measures 545 feet long by 225 feet wide overall. While the floor of the ballcourt has now all but grown over with grass, a few patches remain where we can still see the original tile floor. While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. It is believed that the game was played with a heavy, rubber ball, much like a modern medicine ball. The ball could not be handled by a player's hands, and had to be kicked through the large stone rings near the tops of the walls of the opposite sides of the ballcourt.

The Great Ball Court of Xichen Itza measures 545 feet long by 225 feet wide overall. While the floor of the ballcourt has now all but grown over with grass, a few patches remain where we can still see the original tile floor. While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. It is believed that the game was played with a heavy, rubber ball, much like a modern medicine ball. The ball could not be handled by a player's hands, and had to be kicked through the large stone rings near the tops of the walls of the opposite sides of the ballcourt.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. It is believed that the game was played with a heavy, rubber ball, much like a modern medicine ball. The ball could not be handled by a player's hands, and had to be kicked through the large stone rings near the tops of the walls of the opposite sides of the ballcourt.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

While little is known for certain about the Mayans great, ceremonial ball game, as no one has seen it in person, the Mayans left us many clues as to the rules of the game in the carvings on the walls of the ballcourt. Here we see the intricate costumes worn by the players, including one sandal and one full shoe. We also know from these carvings that one of the players was presented for sacrifice at the end of the game. It is believed that this is the captain of the winning team, thereby winning a direct ticket to Heaven, instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed that one must complete to earn their way into Heaven. This sacrifice was performed by means of decapitation.

Constructed in the Toltec style of architecture and surrounded by hundreds of massive, limestone columns, The Temple of the Warriors and the adjacent Temple of the Jaguar make up the expansive "Thousand Columns" section of the ancient city of Xichen Itza.