Mexico from Slides prt24: Chichen Itza prt2

1000 Columns of The Temple of a Thousand Warriors

(10 Shots) The Temple of the Warriors consists of a large stepped pyramid fronted and flanked by many rows of carved columns depicting the thousand warriors.

Between the Warriors

On top of the Stairs

On top of the pyramid of the Temple of the Warriors is the temple. In front of the entrance is a typical sculpture of a lying figure with it’s head turned 90 degrees, called: Chacmool. It is a kind of offering table and the offers were placed in a bowl on it’s belly. On both sides of the entrance were large heads of the Kukulkan/Quetzalcoatl; the Feathered Serpent; kind of God of wind, corn, wisdom and life. On the walls of the temple were also reliefs of Kukulkan/Quetzalcoatl, with a human head in it’s mouth.

The Entrance of the Temple

Chacmool

Quetzalcoatls near the Entrance

In the Mouth of Quetzalcoatl

In the Mouth of Quetzalcoatl prt2

Offering Corn to the Jaguar God

After the Rain

Mexico from Slides prt23: Chichen Itza

El Castillo; or: The Temple of Kukulcan

(7 Shots) “Chichen Itza” means “At the mouth of the well of the Itza.” It was an important Maya-City in the North of Yucatan; around 125 kilometers west of Cancun. Started around 400 A.D. by Maya’s and taken over by Toltecs in 987 A.D.; and abandoned in the 13th century. Main building is: El Castillo; or: The Temple of Kukulcan (Maya name for The feathered Serpent God; the one the Aztecs called Quetzalcoatl). It “is a monumental representation of the Mayan calendar. There are 18 terraces on each side, the number of months in the Mayan year. There are four staircases, each with 91 steps, with one final step to the summit temple making 365 steps, one for each day of the year. But to see the most impressive aspect of the pyramid, you need to join the tens of thousands visiting on the spring and autumn equinoxes. On these days, the afternoon sun picks out the serpents carved into the staircase, which “moves” by a celestial trick of the light. It is a magnificent testament to the astronomical and architectural genius of its construction nearly 1,000 years ago.” (from: http://chichenitzafacts.com)

The Temple of Kukulcan, seen from the Temple of the Warriors

Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors)

Steep Stairs of the Temple of the Warriors

Sculpture next to the Stairs of the Steep Stairs of the Temple of the Warriors

Funny Noses

Chacmool

Mexico from Slides | Solo prt25: The Gods have many Teeth

The Gods have many Teeth

(looks best full screen; click once; and once more on the image and then F11)

Mexico from Slides | Solo prt24: Three Heads

Three Heads

(looks best full screen; click once; and once more on the image and then F11)

Mexico from Slides | Solo prt23: The Space of a House

The Space of a House

(looks best full screen; click once; and once more on the image and then F11)

Mexico from Slides prt22: Uxmal prt2

Nunnery Quadrangle, courtyard

(9 Shots)

House of the Doves

The Mask

The following shots are from the facades of the Nunnery Quadrangle. Great monumental, ornamental harmony…

The face of a God

It’s in his hands, and he will hold it forever.

Rattle and Snake

Mask2

Closed

In the Corner

Mexico from Slides prt21: Uxmal

The Pyramid of the Magician

(12 Shots) | Uxmal was a Maya City, roughly from 500 A.D. till 1550 A.D.. It’s in the state of Yucatán; about 62 km south of its capital Mérida. The architectural remains were in pretty good shape. Main attraction was the The Pyramid of the Magician. It’s about 40 m. high and the steps of it’s stairs are extremely inhuman. There was a chain you could hold on to, when you wanted to climb the stairs.

The Pyramid of the Magician prt2

Overview

The Pyramid of the Magician prt3

The Governor’s Palace

The Governor’s Palace was a heavy, long building on a base. The upper half had a great relief of repeating patterns and symbols. Reminded me of the great reliefs of Mitla; but here they were more complex and on a larger scale.

The Governor’s Palace prt2

Nunnery Quadrangle

Nunnery Quadrangle was actually a government palace. It was a huge building around a square courtyard that felt like a soccerfield with its short, green grass. The ornaments and reliefs on its facades were incredible.

Nunnery Quadrangle prt2

Nunnery Quadrangle prt3

Creatures watch

Ballgame-Target

No idea where this is…

Mexico from Slides prt20: Misol-Ha Waterfall

Misol-Ha Waterfall

(5 Shots) | Still in the state of Chiapas; 25km. South of Palenque. Misol-Ha means “Streaming Water” and the water goes down 35m. The specialty was that you could climb over some slippery rocks to get behind the water-curtain (and kiss the one you love).

They made it

To Waterpaint

Over the Edge

The Wet Kiss

Mexico from Slides | Solo prt22: The Past and the Future

The Past and the Future

(looks best full screen; click once; and once more on the image and then F11)

Mexico from Slides | Solo prt21: Two Stairs and Two Holes

Two Stairs and Two Holes

(looks best full screen; click once; and once more on the image and then F11)