El Castillo at Chichén Itzá rises about 30 m with nine terraces and four stairways of 91 steps each, totaling 365 for the solar year. At equinoxes, sunlight creates a serpent illusion slithering down the northern staircase. Inside the innermost structure sits a red jaguar throne inlaid with jade. A clap echoes like a quetzal bird's chirp.
Chichén Itzá's El Castillo functions as a 365-day solar calendar
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Key facts
- El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan) at Chichén Itzá rises approximately 30 m (nearly 100 ft) with nine stepped terraces and monumental staircases on all four sides
- Each of the four stairways contains 91 steps, which combined with the top platform total 365, the number of days in the solar year
- During spring and autumn equinoxes, sunlight creates the illusion of a serpent undulating down the northern staircase to meet carved serpent heads at the base
- The visible pyramid sits atop two older inner structures, the innermost containing a temple chamber with a red jaguar throne inlaid with jade
- A clap at the pyramid's base produces an echo mimicking the chirp of the sacred quetzal bird
- Ground penetrating radar revealed a natural cenote (sinkhole) beneath the pyramid, intentionally chosen as the foundation
- Chichén Itzá's Great Ball Court extends approximately 168 m (more than 550 ft), the largest known ball court in Mesoamerica
- Sacred Cenote offerings include remains of men, women, and children with signs of blunt trauma, along with gold, jade, and incense
Site mentioned
Sources
Kukulkan Pyramid - El Castillo - Chichen Itzachichenitza.com
each side of the pyramid has a large staircase, 91 steps per side and one more leading to the upper temple, giving 365 steps, one per day of the year.
El Castillo, Chichen Itza - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
All four sides of the temple have approximately 91 steps which, may produce a total of 365 steps
El Castillo, Chichen Itza: Photo of the Week | Travel? Yes Please!travelyesplease.com
El Castillo has 365 steps, one for each day of the year. There are 91 steps on each side and the top platform makes the 365th. Every Spring and ...
El Castillo - Your audio guide of Chichen Itza - SmartGuidesmart-guide.org
This Mayan pyramid, constructed mainly by the Toltecs and measuring 30 metres in height, contains 9 platforms and 4 staircases with 91 steps in total.
The Mayan Calendar Round - Ancient Observatories: Chichén Itzáannex.exploratorium.edu
The Pyramid of El Castillo in Chichén Itzá. Each side has 91 steps with a final step at the top, so there are 365 steps total. The Pyramid was constructed so ...
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