The Castle

Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities. Dominating the North Platform and located in the center of the archaeological site is the Temple of Kukulcán (a Maya feathered serpent deity similar to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl). The temple was identified by the first Spaniards to see it, as El Castillo (“the castle”), and it regularly is referred to as such. This step pyramid stands about 98 feet high and consists of a series of nine square terraces, each approximately 8.4 feet high, with a 20 foot high temple upon the summit.