Chichen Itza,
Yucatan, Mexico
Chichen Itza can be reached
by regular bus service from
both Merida and the coastal
city of Cancun.

The pre-Colombian Mayan
archaeological site shows both
a Mayan civilization building
style of the northern part of the
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico
and an influence from the ninth
century AD Toltecs of Central
Mexico's ancient city of Tula.
Temple of Kukulkan called El Castillo,
dedicated to Quetzalcoatl


The building called El  
Caracol, the Snail due
to the snail-like shape
inside, is thought to be
an astronomical
observatory because
of placement of
openings with a view
of the vernal Equinox
and the phases of the
moon.
Chichen Itza was active as a regional center of the culture in the late classic to early post-classic period from 600
AD to 1000 AD and contains buildings with the architectural styles of both central Mexico of the Toltecs and the
northern Yucatan Puuc style of the Mayas. This mix is a result of cultural diffusion rather than a Toltec dominance
some archaeologists argue.

The columned building, the Temple of the Warriors resembles buildings at the city of Tula, north of Mexico City.
Other sections of the city are built in the Maya Puuc style of northern Yucatan.

Legends state that the Toltec king Quetzalcoatl came to Chichen Itza and ruled the city during the tenth century.
This would account for the Toltec style architecture used at the temple of the Warriors and the central Mexico
Chac Mool figures found at the Mayan site.   
Toltec-style Chac Mool sculpture in the Museum
in Merida. This artistic style is Toltec from central
Mexico, north of present day Mexico City.
The building the Iglasia done in the Puuc style has many
references to the rain God Chaac
Buildings constructed
during the end of Chichen
Itza's classic period at
about 1000 AD are done
in the Puuc style of the
northern Maya and show
many references to the
Mayan Rain God Chaac.
Other buildings resemble  Maya style found
at Palenque
SoftSeatTravel
Chichen Itza's unique building include the Observatory, El Castillo, and the large ball court.
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