The Pyramid of Kukulcan
photo by Clive Ruggles
Known as El Castillo, The Castle, in Spanish, the Pyramid of Kukulcan was built to honour the feathered serpent Kukulkan. The Castillo's architecture and design is reflective of 10th century Toltec influence from the Gulf area. It is a 4 sided 100ft (30m) high pyramid topped with a temple with a square base with a side of 60 yards (55.5 mt) . On each face are staircases. Symbolizing the elements of time, the pyramid has:
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9 levels divided by a flight of stairs resulting in 18 sections, corresponding to the 18 months months of the Maya Calendar.
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52 indented squares representing the 52 weeks
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365 steps (91 on each side plus the upper platform) for the number of days in the year
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4 sides of the pyramid facing the 4 cardinal directions (Krupp, 1983).
A polychome Chac-mool can be found within the temple, along with a jaguar throne painted red with inlays of jade and conch. The present structure was built over a smaller inner structure with 61 steps.