Chichén Itzá’s La Iglesia
La Iglesia, Chichén Itzá
September 22nd, 2020
After yesterday’s thoughts on the Temple of Kukulcan, today we’re taking our first look at La Iglesia (church) which is one of the structures of Chichén Itzá’s Grupo de las Monjas (the group of structures around and including the Nunnery).
La Iglesia is striking for its contrast with the Temple of Kukulcan — the former being rectangular and top-heavy, the latter being elegantly proportioned as a four-sided pyramid. The church is an example of Puuc architectural style, named for the hilly region of northwestern Yucatán. Puuc style is ornamental with mosaics of repeated elements and masks of the rain god Chaahk at focal points. To me, the patterns look similar to Tibetan or Bhutanese motifs but carved of stone rather than wood, left unfinished rather than painted by hand.
Happy first day of fall!
More tomorrow,
Kelly
Photo of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
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Your remark about the persistence of patterns is interesting, the frieze above the door is still in use today, in successive copies, I suppose. On the other hand, the coincidence of motifs with civilisations without contact with each other is more intriguing.
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Totally agree and excellent point! Amazing that similar designs were in use around the world when there could have been no contact or communication. True mysteries of the world!
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A painting of the rain god decorates one of our walls. 🙂 –Curt
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Lucky you!! Sounds awesome! 🙂
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We need that Rain God now, Kelly. I won’t say that I pray to it, but… 🙂
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You can dance! Rain dance! I prefer that to praying. 🙂
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Me too? Although I have no problem urging Mother Nature to cooperate. 🙂
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So lovely, Kelly! 🌞
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Thank you, Lisa!!
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Boy, it’s been so long since I’ve been there that I barely remember this structure. I totally see some Himalayan motifs in there!
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Right?! Me too! So ornate compared to the Temple of Kukulcan.
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