Chichen Itza was one of the largest and most powerful cities in the ancient Maya world. Located in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonders of the World features some of the most impressive pre-Columbian architecture ever built.
The site's crown jewel, El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulcán), is a calendar carved in stone — a pyramid with 365 steps that creates the illusion of a serpent descending during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
360° Aerial Panoramas
🏛️ AirPano: Chichen Itza from Above
Stunning 360° aerial panoramas of the entire archaeological site. Fly above El Castillo, the Ball Court, and the Temple of Warriors from perspectives no tourist can reach.
Explore from Above →Key Structures to Explore
- El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán) — The iconic 30-meter pyramid with 365 steps. During equinoxes, shadows create a serpent slithering down the stairs.
- Great Ball Court — The largest and best-preserved ball court in Mesoamerica at 168 meters long. Acoustics carry a whisper from one end to the other.
- Temple of Warriors — A stepped pyramid surrounded by hundreds of carved columns depicting warriors.
- Sacred Cenote — A massive natural sinkhole used for ritual offerings to the rain god Chaac.
- El Caracol (The Observatory) — A circular building aligned with Venus and other celestial bodies, showing advanced Maya astronomy.
💡 Pro Tip
Use the aerial panorama to spot the Sacred Cenote north of El Castillo — a 60-meter-wide natural sinkhole connected to the pyramid by a 300-meter ceremonial road called a sacbé.
Maya Engineering Marvels
- Acoustic design — A handclap at the base of El Castillo produces an echo resembling the call of the quetzal bird
- Astronomical precision — Buildings align with Venus, the Sun, and key constellation risings
- Calendar encoding — El Castillo's 91 steps per side × 4 sides + 1 platform = 365 days
- Hydraulic engineering — The city managed water through an elaborate system of cenotes and channels
Enhance Your Virtual Visit
Recommended Gear for Virtual Travel
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Meta Quest 3S VR Headset
Experience the scale of El Castillo in immersive VR. Perfect for archaeological sites.
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"The Ancient Maya" by Robert Sharer (Book)
The definitive academic reference on Maya civilization, culture, and architecture.