History of Chichen Itza
Who built Chichen Itza, what its name means and why it was one of the most powerful cities of the Mayan world.
Chichen Itza was one of the most powerful cities of the Mayan world. Knowing its history gives the visit another layer: every structure tells part of that greatness.
Explore the site with a guide who tells its story on a Chichen Itza tour from Cancun.
What does "Chichen Itza" mean?
In Mayan it means roughly "at the mouth of the well of the Itza", a reference to the cenotes that gave the place life and sacred meaning. "Itza" was the Mayan group that inhabited it.
Who built it and when?
It was built by the Maya, starting around 550 A.D., with its golden age between the 9th and 12th centuries. It was a leading political, religious and trade center of the Yucatan Peninsula, with cultural influences reflected in its architecture.
Rise and decline
For centuries it concentrated power and knowledge, astronomical above all, as the Kukulcan Pyramid and El Caracol show. Over time it lost prominence, and by the arrival of the Spanish it was no longer the dominant city. Its monuments, however, survived.
Modern recognition
In 2007 it was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and today it is a World Heritage Site and one of Mexico's most visited places.
FAQ
Who built Chichen Itza? The Maya, specifically the Itza group.
What does Chichen Itza mean? "At the mouth of the well of the Itza."
When was it built? From around 550 A.D., peaking between the 9th and 12th centuries.
Book your visit
See Chichen Itza tours from Cancun. Next: the Kukulcan Pyramid guide and the complete guide.
Sources consulted on August 8, 2026: INAH and UNESCO. General historical framing.
