Group of a Thousand Columns - A Forest of Stone

Photo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0 (cropped)

A stop on Chichen Itza Self-Guided Tour, a free self-guided tour.

Stretching along the south side of the Temple of the Warriors are rows upon rows of stone columns. There are not literally a thousand, but there are enough to feel like a forest. When the city was alive, these columns held up a vast roof, creating long shaded halls where crowds could gather out of the sun - something you will probably appreciate right now.

Archaeologists are still not sure exactly how the halls were used. Meetings, ceremonies and the business of governing are all possibilities. At the southern end of the complex stands a building early explorers named El Mercado, the market, though researchers now think its purpose was ceremonial rather than commercial.

The builders also thought about water. A channel carried rainwater from this area roughly 40 meters to a natural depression, a reminder that in Yucatan every drop counted.

Walk slowly along the colonnade and try to picture the roof overhead, with cool shade and the noise of a busy crowd.

Getting here: From the front of the Temple of the Warriors, walk south along its side; the columns spread out to your left.

Did you know?: Spanish names like El Mercado, El Castillo and Las Monjas were given by later visitors; the original Maya names of most buildings here are unknown.

Photo op: Line up a row of columns so they recede in perspective - early morning side light makes the stone glow.

More on Wikipedia: Chichen Itza · Colonnade · Maya architecture

Group of a Thousand Columns - A Forest of Stone

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