Chichén Itzá - The Great Venus Platform

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Chichén Itzá - The Venus Platform

Note that there are two platforms of Venus at Chichén Itza. This one is the largest and is located beside El Castillo and on the route to the Sacred Cenote.

by Dorothy and Bill Bell

The Great Platform of Venus is also known as the Tomb of the Chac Mool because a Chac Mool was discovered inside the platform when it was excavated.

It is a 25 meter (83 foot) squared platform built in the talud-tablero (slope-panel) style. It has steps on all four sides leading to Plumed Serpents heads guarding the platform at the top. The side panels have mythical creatures of part eagle, serpent, jaguar and human form.

There are glyphs at each of the corners representing signs of Venus in the form of a year symbol, half flower with crosses on the petals. The Mayans studied and tracked Venus extensively in the observatory as was considered a heavenly body as well as an astronomical measuring point. It was used to establish the Mayan Calendar for agricultural and ritual planning

. Chichén Itzá - The Great Venus Platform

Likely used for ceremonial purposes, likely dance, ritual or public speeches, it was never crowned with a temple; It was designed as a flat stage for public viewing. Its position in the Grand Plaza and sacbe to the Sacred Cenote and carvings of the great serpent-God Kukulcán and Venus strongly suggests that this platform was an important structure of great purpose.

Plaza of the Thousand Columns

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