Mexico boasts of beautiful historical ruins spread across the country. The Yucatan Peninsula alone prides itself with over 20 majestic ruins from the Mayan period. These ruins attract tourists from across the globe throughout the year. Many of these tourists take an active interest in the archeological history and explore the archeological digs active at many of the sites.
Chichen Itza
This historical Mayan site hosts thousands of visitors’ every day. The restored pyramids El Castillo and Kukulcan are testimony to the Greatness of the architecture from Maya-Toltec civilization.
The ruins of Chichen Itza are among the largest Mayan cities and an ardent fan can spend days discovering the beauty of the lost civilization’s remains. Visit the temple de los Guerreros (the temple of warriors) and El Caracol (one of the few round Mayan buildings).
Nohoch Mul Pyramid
This is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan peninsula. It is located near Coba, which is essentially an archeological zone covered with jungle.
The top of the pyramid offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding jungle, with the top of many other ruins peeking through the treetops. Similar to Coba, Becan and Bonampak are other jungle cities with imposing ruins.
Tulum
The coastal ruins of the Tulum fortress hold testimony to the decorative architecture of the period. The main temple, Templo Del Dios Descendente, or the temple where God is descending, is built on a limestone cliff 40 feet above the sea, offering a spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico. The temple was named after the plunging winged deity carved on the doorway. The carvings on temple column depict Kukuclan, the plumed serpent.
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan was among the largest cities of the world, but its secrets are now lost in history. It boasts of a stepped pyramid, that has a base almost as wide as the great Pyramid of Giza. It is a world heritage site and keeps the archeologists guessing about its origins. The Avenue of the Dead from the Pyramid of the Moon is perfect for a stroll that takes you inside the former beauty of the complete city.
Templo Mayor
Another world heritage Site, the Templo mayor, is famous for its human sacrifices. This 14th century Aztec temple witnessed thousands of prisoners of wars, sacrificed to the bloodthirsty war gods. The site of sacrifice is adorned with seven rows of stone skulls that were overseeing the bloodshed.
Monte Alban
This spectacular ruin has yielded huge caches of jade and gold from the hundreds of tombs found here. The mountain top temple is a part of the Zapotec ruins with dozens of carvings depicting the Danzantes or Dancers. The undulating figures were thought to be dancers but historians are now of the opinion that they depict bound prisoners.
