Chichen Itza makes way for cultural tourism in Yucatan
The Mayan city of Chichén Itzá, recently designated as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” opens the door for the marvelous world of cultural tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula, with its mysterious archeological sites, charming colonial atmosphere, and a distinctive culinary tradition that’s considered one of the most delicious and varied of the world.
Chichén Itzá, also declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1988, is known for its admirable buildings with brilliant architectural designs and for its complex religious and scientific symbols.
In addition to Chichén Itzá, the Yucatán Peninsula – which encompasses the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo – includes many appealing areas representative of the Mayan Culture such as Uxmal, Kabah, Labná, Sayil, Tulum, and Dzibilchaltún.
UNESCO classified the city of Uxmal as part of the cultural treasures of the world. Uxmal, whose name means “‘built three times” in the Mayan language, is one of the best restored and maintained archaeological sites ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, and certainly one of the most magnificent. Its architecture, comparable only to that of the city of Palenque, is characterized by low horizontal palaces set around courtyards, decorated with rich sculptural elements and details.
Amongst the most notable buildings in Uxmal are the Governor’s Palace, a long low building atop a huge platform, with the longest façades in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and a large ball court for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame.
In addition to the historic memorials of the pre-Hispanic towns, a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula is not complete without a stroll through its stunning colonial cities such as Mérida and Campeche.
Known as The White City, and as the capital of the state of Yucatán, Mérida was founded in 1542 by the Spaniards. The city of Campeche, another World Heritage Site, is recognized by the quality of its architecture and its historic preservation zones, including a magnificent walled site in front of the ocean.
Next to all the historical testimonials is then gastronomy, which brings to the present the appetizing cultural legacy of the region, with its delicacies and exuberant recipes such as the “cochinita pibil”, a pork plate marinated with an annatto seed paste and bitter orange juice and cooked in an underground oven. With a unique mix of flavors, and diverse ingredients, the Yucateca Kitchen style is considered the most refined of the Mexican cuisine.
For more information, visit www.visitmexico.com
Couretsy of grouptravelblog.com
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