Description of the attraction
One of the most interesting settlements left by the Mayan civilization is called Chikanna, which translates as "House of the Serpent's Mouth". It is located a few kilometers from the modern city of Shpuhil and features many beautifully preserved historical monuments.
The city of Chicanna was founded around 300 BC. NS. For a long time it was subordinate to the state, whose capital was the city of Bekan. In the classical period of the development of the Mayan civilization, Chikanna acquired the status of the second capital, and in the 7th century, still part of the Bekan state, it is considered the spiritual center of a significant part of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Chicanna reached its heyday in the period from 600 to 830 years. It was during these several centuries that the most beautiful buildings were built here. Moreover, a new architectural style was formed here, which later became the basis for the Chenes style. Hundreds of pilgrims arrived in Chicanna, and neighboring states knew about the beauty of its temples. After 830 the period of active construction ceases. For several centuries, the locals resisted the raids of neighboring tribes, but in 1100 AD. NS. still left their homes.
The peculiarities of the Chikanna architectural zone is considered to be a set of buildings, in the design of which architectural details typical of the Chenes, Rio Beck and Puuc styles were used. Their bizarre mixture is still admired by researchers and visitors, who are surprisingly few here.
The Chikanna settlement is divided into four zones, which are designated by the letters A, B, C and D. Sector A is the most interesting, as it includes temples and administrative buildings grouped around a spacious square. There is also a temple built in the form of a pyramid, the ruins of a large acropolis and a palace that gave the name to the entire city. Its entrance is designed in the form of an open mouth of a serpent.
