During the Classic Era, the Mayans built a large number of Mayan ceremonial centers. These centers were special places to celebrate rituals or important events in people’s lives, such as weddings and religious festivals. However, not all Mayan ceremonial centers are equally important.
Here, we explore the most important Mayan ceremonial centers:
The Temple of the Stela in Tikal
It was built during the 5th century (500 years after the classical culture began), and is located on a structure that dates back to the preclassical period (400 years before). The temple was rebuilt two more times to become a much larger building with incredible heights.
The Jaguar Temple in Uxmal
It was built during the 9th century (900 years after classical culture began). Its strategic location on a plateau allows it to have two levels: a main square and a smaller one with archaeological remains that have not yet been explored within the surrounding buildings. In 1995 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Temple of Kukulkan, in Chichen Itza
It was built during the 12th century (1200 years after classical culture began) and is a square building with two wings that is developed on a very high rocky promontory called El Castillo; Its name is associated with Quetzalcóatl, Aztec god of wind and snakes sacred to the Mayans because it represented the celestial formation corresponding to Venus.
The King’s Palace, in Quiriguá
It is located on the banks of the road that leads to Lake Izabal and is one of the few Mayan ceremonial centers with buildings visible to tourists; It is a square structure on pillars whose dimensions are gigantic (one meter per side), which gives an idea of the large total size due to the advanced degree of construction observed. Reliefs have been found there representing mythological scenes related to the forces of nature, such as water.
The Temple of Inscriptions
It is located in Palenque and was built on a flat surface that some have seen as a funerary sarcophagus; It is surrounded by three altars that would represent the cardinal points connected throughout the planet to form the Mayan sanctuary. There are historical records written in different languages: Zapotec, Mayan and Colonial Spanish.
The Temple of the Cross
It is the most important ceremonial center due to its strategic position that observes the different Mayan religious practices. There are recent historical records of it since 1910, which is why we know the iconic and political importance of the site for this cultural group.
The Temple of the Jaguars
It is the most important ceremonial center due to its size, construction and duration; It was a temple dedicated in honor of Escolopendra (a mythological god) known as “the sea serpent.”
Huichol Ceremonial Center
The Huichol Ceremonial Center represents a sacred place, whose translation means “Place of the Long View”, which is known for being the place where Huichol ceremonies are held.
Gate of the Dead
It is located in Tulum and was one of the most important Mayan monuments during the classical period since it was an altar to offer sacrifices to the dead or “Hades” (god of the underworld).
Quiriguá Ceremonial Center
It was built on the ruins of the ancient Mayapán settlement. Its name means “Place where there are Avocados” and it is known for being the favorite city for the Quiche axe-makers.
The temple of Copan
It is one of the largest and most complex ceremonial centers found in the Mayan area. It has three floors, each with different architectural characteristics.
The Temple of Izamal
It is an architectural complex that is considered the second largest temple of the Mayan culture after the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán, Mexico.
The Uaxactún ceremonial center
It is located near Lake Petén Itza and was known for being the religious capital of the Mayans during the late classical period.
These centers were used to carry out different types of ceremonies, such as: human sacrifices, worship of the main deity and rituals to govern.
If you are interested in having a Mayan ceremony in Cancun we can help you, contact us
