With the inauguration of the Chaltún Ha pyramid this Tuesday April 23rd, Izamal will offer a new tourist attraction in the area, seeking to make the City of Three Cultures more attractive for national and international tourists, said Fermín Sosa Lugo, mayor of the city.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) of Yucatán supervised the rescue works, and the Secretariat of Tourism Promotion (Sefotur) has been giving promoting this magnificent archaeological site, which can be visited no cost.
“This site will be administered by INAH, which for years has been carrying out restoration work with the support of Sefotur and the staff of the Izamal City Council, so today the pyramid is ready to be visited in conjunction with the other attractions in this Magical Town “, the mayor said.
The area where Chaltún Ha is located, which in Maya means Flat Stone Water, is known as “La Escondida” by the people of Izamal, since it is the least known of the pyramids within city limits. Access is on Calle 38 (between 43 and 45).
Chaltun Ha Pyramid (Photo: SIPSE)
Pyramids of Izamal
It should be mentioned that Izamal was a pre-Hispanic city occupied approximately from 500 BC until near the Spanish conquest, so the rescue of this pyramid comes to join others such as Kinich Kak Moo, Itzamatul, Tuul or Rabbit, Kabul and Hun Pik Tok.
To get a splendid panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, nothing like climbing up the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid, (Solar Face Macaw), dedicated to the God of the Sun, which height is impressive.
Not many people are aware of the fact that, the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid is the third largest prehispanic structure in all of Mexico, only below the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán, and the pyrmaid of Cholula in Puebla.
Kinich kak moo pyramid (Archive)
While the Itzamatul pyramid is one of the better conserved, a small fence has been placed to secure the site from vandalism and for security reasons.
Izmataul pyramid (Archive)
Another of the pyramids located in this magic town is Tuul or Rabbit, which stones were used by the locals to build up a great deal of the town of Izamal. This pyramid dates back to the Maya era of the rabbit, which occurred around the year 1100.
Entrance to the “Rabbit” pyramid in Izamal (Archive)
There is very little left of the Kabul pyramid, today there are only vestiges of it and it is said that during the time when this area was inhabited by the Maya, the structure was dedicated to God Itzamná. It is said that this area was hit by looters many years ago.
On the southwest side of the central plaza is the Hun Pik Tok pyramid, which is also open th the public.
Finally, Izamal’s mayor Fermín Sosa Lugo invited national and foreign tourists to visit the pyramids, the 16th century convent of San Francisco, the Atrium of the convent and the colonial houses, as well as to enjoy the cuisine and the warmth of its people.
The Yucatan Times Newsroom with information from INAH
