When was the Chichen Itza pyramid (El Castillo) built?

El Castillo, the main pyramid of Chichen Itza, was built between roughly 800 and 1000 AD. Inside it sits an older, smaller pyramid, which means the structure was built in at least two phases.

When was Chichen Itza abandoned?

The city declined between 1200 and 1400 AD as trade routes shifted and drought and conflict grew. Mayapan replaced it as the regional capital, though Chichen Itza remained a pilgrimage site.

When was Chichen Itza rediscovered?

American explorer John Lloyd Stephens and English artist Frederick Catherwood published drawings and accounts of the ruins in 1841-43, introducing Chichen Itza to the wider world.

When did Chichen Itza become a Wonder of the World?

Chichen Itza was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Was Chichen Itza built before or after the pyramids of Egypt?

Long after. The Great Pyramid of Giza was completed around 2560 BC, more than 3,000 years before Chichen Itza was founded. Chichen Itza is closer in age to medieval European cathedrals.

When Was Chichen Itza Built? The Full Timeline

Q: When was Chichen Itza built?

Chichen Itza was founded around 550 AD by the Maya. Its most famous buildings, including the El Castillo pyramid, the Great Ball Court and the Temple of the Warriors, were built between 800 and 1000 AD during the city's peak.

Q: How old is Chichen Itza?

The city is about 1,475 years old, counting from its founding around 550 AD. The famous monuments visitors see today are roughly 1,000 to 1,200 years old.

Q: Who built Chichen Itza?

Chichen Itza was built by the Maya, specifically the Itza people whose name means 'water sorcerers'. The northern buildings also show a shared Mesoamerican style once attributed to the Toltecs.

When was Chichen Itza built - El Castillo pyramid, built 800-1000 AD

Chichen Itza was built by the Maya over several centuries: the city was founded around 550 AD, and its famous monuments, including the El Castillo pyramid, rose between 800 and 1000 AD. This guide gives you the direct answer first, then the building date of each major monument, the full timeline from founding to rediscovery, and how old the ruins are today.

When Was Each Monument at Chichen Itza Built?

Monument	Built	Notes
First settlements	c. 550 AD	Maya families settle around the Sacred Cenote and nearby springs; early Puuc-style buildings.
The Nunnery & Caracol (Observatory)	c. 800-900 AD	Southern sector built in classic Puuc-Maya style during the city's rise.
El Castillo (the Pyramid)	c. 800-1000 AD	Built over an older inner pyramid; 365 steps mirror the solar year.
Great Ball Court	c. 900-1000 AD	Largest ball court in Mesoamerica, 168 m long.
Temple of the Warriors	c. 1000-1100 AD	Thousand Columns complex built at the city's peak.
Sacred Cenote offerings	c. 800-1400 AD	Gold, jade and offerings deposited for centuries, even after decline.

Chichen Itza Timeline: From Founding to Wonder of the World

c. 550 AD - Founded: First Maya settlements appear around the Sacred Cenote, the natural well that gave the city its name.
800-1000 AD - Rise: Chichen Itza becomes a regional power. The Nunnery, the Observatory and the southern temples are built.
1000-1200 AD - Peak: El Castillo, the Great Ball Court and the Temple of the Warriors are completed. Population is estimated at 50,000 or more.
1200-1400 AD - Decline: Trade shifts, drought and conflict lead to gradual abandonment. Mayapan takes over as regional capital.
1533 - Spanish contact: Francisco de Montejo briefly camps at Chichen Itza during the conquest, then retreats after Maya resistance.
1841-43 - Rediscovery: Stephens and Catherwood publish their drawings and introduce the ruins to the world.
1988 - UNESCO: Declared a World Heritage Site.
2007 - New Wonder: Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

How Old Is Chichen Itza Today?

Counting from its founding around 550 AD, Chichen Itza is about 1,475 years old. The monuments most visitors come to see - El Castillo, the Great Ball Court and the Temple of the Warriors - are between 900 and 1,200 years old. For context, that makes El Castillo roughly the same age as the great medieval cathedrals of Europe, and more than 3,000 years younger than the pyramids of Egypt.

Who Built Chichen Itza?

The city was built by the Maya, and specifically ruled by the Itza, the people whose name gives the city its meaning: "at the mouth of the well of the Itza". The northern buildings show a shared Mesoamerican style once credited to a Toltec invasion - modern research points instead to cultural exchange during the 10th and 11th centuries. Read exactly who built Chichen Itza or continue with our Chichen Itza history and facts guide. For the big picture, see the complete Chichen Itza guide.

See the 1,000-Year-Old Pyramids in Person

Dates on a page are one thing - standing in front of a pyramid raised a thousand years ago is another. Our guided Chichen Itza tour walks you through each building in the order it was built, with a certified guide who explains how to read the calendar carved into El Castillo. Check the opening hours and tickets and entrance fees before you go.

When Was Chichen Itza Built - FAQs

Walk through 1,000 years of history

Our certified guides bring every date to life at the ruins. Message us for tour dates, hotel pickup and group or private options.

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