Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is an old city in Mexico built by the Maya people. It was busy and full of people more than 1,000 years ago. The Maya built huge stone buildings and pyramids there. The most famous one is called the Pyramid of Kukulcan. Today, people from all over the world come to see it.

The Great Pyramid

The Pyramid of Kukulcan is the biggest building at Chichen Itza. It has four sides with steps going up each one. The pyramid has 365 steps in all, one for each day of the year. At the top is a small temple. The Maya used it to worship their gods.

Games and Stars

The Maya played a ball game at Chichen Itza on a huge stone court. Players had to hit a heavy rubber ball through a stone ring. The Maya were also great at studying the stars. They built a round building to watch the sky. This helped them make very accurate calendars.

Fun Facts

• Twice a year, the setting sun makes a shadow like a snake on the pyramid.
• The ball court is longer than a football field.
• Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Did You Know?

If you clap your hands at the bottom of the pyramid, the echo sounds like a bird call.