The Ancient Cities of Mexico A high point of many Mexico
vacations is a visit to one of the ancient cities built by the
Maya and other civilizations of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Many
ruins exist in Mexico but some have a particular appeal and draw
visitors from every corner of the globe. Chichen Itza is the
most famous Mayan archaeological zone in Yucatan and one of the
biggest in Mexico as a whole. From around 600 - 1200 AD the city
was a focal point in the northern Maya lowlands. There is less
opportunity to get close to the buildings here than at other
sites. El Castillo, dedicated to Kukulkan the Plumed Serpent, is
no longer open for visitors to climb up but you can still climb
the stairs of the Interior Temple and the Observatory. View the
magnificent Temple of the Warriors and the sinister figure of
chacmool gazing to the west; traditionally the direction of
death, darkness and the colour black. The Great Ballcourt is one
of the most impressive features of the site; an area where
people literally playe