Chichén Itzá: My First Wonder of the World
It may surprise you that despite spending most of my career as a public school administrator, I was actually an anthropology major in college. Yes, that’s right, I majored in anthropology and am not ashamed to admit that I’m an archaeology geek. I loved the semesters I spent studying the Mesoamerican cultures and their histories. So, when I realized our cruise last summer was stopping close enough for me to get a firsthand look at the ruins of Chichén Itzá, Mexico, I was super stoked. For those curious about Which Is The First Wonder Of World, the answer often depends on whether you mean the ancient list or modern selections. Chichén Itzá is one of the New7Wonders of the World, and for me, it was the first of any wonder I had the chance to see with my own eyes.
Our ship docked near Progresso, Mexico, on a gorgeous June morning. When we looked out the window of our stateroom, we saw a beautiful rainbow in the distance, with tropical showers scattered all around. Something told me this was going to be an amazing day. And it was.
Rainbow over Progreso, Mexico coast
The trip from the port to Chichén Itzá is about two hours down a modern highway. We rolled along, passing in and out of rain showers while our guide explained local culture and history to us. This, along with the lush, green scenery and the excitement of being someplace new, helped the time pass quickly and soon enough we pulled into the entrance of Chichén Itzá where the van driver gave us each a bottle of water and an umbrella that could be used to block both rain and sun. If you’re exploring destinations that are often debated or compared to the famous wonders, such as considering was the grand canyon a wonder of the world, visiting a site like Chichén Itzá provides a clear example of a recognized world wonder.
Chichen Itza tour guide giving presentation
Let me just say that Chichén Itzá is a pretty busy place. When you walk in, there are people everywhere trying to sell you those cute, seemingly irresistible trinkets that you want to buy but know you don’t have any place to put them in your house if you do.
Because we had a guide, we moved pretty quickly past the mass of souvenir vendors and into a clearing near the center of the archaeological site. There, I had my first look at the pyramid that dominates the site and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world and the first one of those I’d seen with my own eyes.
Main pyramid El Castillo at Chichen Itza archaeological park
Seeing it, I could understand why it has earned that designation. Look at the two people standing in front of it in the picture below–it will give you some sense of just how huge this pyramid is. The scale can be truly awe-inspiring, making you contemplate the magnitude of other incredible sites. Discussions often arise about the relative impact or scale when people consider topics like the vast wonder of the world, and Chichén Itzá certainly makes you appreciate monumental human achievements.
Detailed view of serpent head carving at base of El Castillo pyramid steps
We walked through the ruins with our guide, stopping to look at the playing field of the sacred ball game. This game, a sort of combination of soccer and basketball in which players tried to get a solid rubber ball through a vertical stone hoop without using their hands, often lasted for days before someone scored a point and ended the game. The guide told us that the winning team won a prize unlike anything given to winners today. They won the privilege of being sacrificed to the gods. It’s a stark reminder of the cultural differences between ancient civilizations and our modern understanding, adding layers to our perception of world wonders.
Ancient sacred ball game court ruins at Chichen Itza archaeological site
We wandered some more, stopping to look at bas-relief carving in the stone. Archaeologists have used carvings like these to help them get a better understanding of the ancient culture. These detailed inscriptions and images provide invaluable insights into the daily lives, beliefs, and history of the people who built this incredible city, helping piece together the story of this wonder. When researching different monumental structures, one might also look into topics like what is the sixth wonder of the world to compare their historical significance and archaeological findings.
Hieroglyphic carvings on stone wall at Chichen Itza
At the conclusion of the guided portion of our tour, we had some time to walk the site by ourselves and explore the ruins. As we walked, I thought of the generations of people who once lived and worked in this ancient city. Witnessing the scale and preservation of the site allows for deep reflection on the passage of time and the enduring legacy of human civilization.
Panoramic view across the Chichen Itza archaeological site showing various structures and trees
I imagined the effort needed to build a massive stone pyramid, and thought of the amount of precise math needed to align that pyramid just so it could be used as a calendar more accurate than the one we use today. I thought of the laughter and tears and children running that once filled the streets here. And I marveled that for all that we know about this place, there is so much more we don’t begin to understand. For visual context of different wonders, many people seek out a 7 wonder of the world image to see these marvels side-by-side, though each offers a unique historical and cultural experience.
As we drove away, I felt satisfaction that I’d finally visited but still had a yearning to know more about the people who once lived in Chichén Itzá. It’s what will bring me back again, someday. Exploring this ancient site was a profound experience, marking my personal first encounter with a globally recognized wonder.
