Group (Temple) of a Thousand Columns - El Templo de Las Mil Columnas

Chícharo 1, Agua Clara, 20263 Aguascalientes, Ags, Mexico

The Group of a Thousand Columns in Chichen Itza is actually a temple, a very beautiful and impressive structure connected to the Temple of the Warriors, which got its name because it appears to have many columns, but in reality, there are only about 200. This is what remains of a building that likely had a flat roof, according to Toltec customs. Additionally, in the Group of a Thousand Columns, new elements are added to the traditional Mayan pyramidal structures, formed by colonnades of astonishing lightness and iconographic elements related to military orders and the cult of the Feathered Serpent.

Maya Cities of Mexico - Chichen Itza

The Thousand Columns Group in Chichen Itza is actually a temple, a very beautiful and impressive structure connected to the Temple of the Warriors, which got its name because it seems to have many columns, but in reality, there are only about 200. This is what remains of a structure that probably had a flat roof, according to Toltec customs. Additionally, in the Thousand Columns Group, new elements formed by colonnades of amazing lightness and iconographic elements related to military orders and the cult of the Feathered Serpent are added to the traditional Mayan pyramidal structures.

Some specialists believe that the Thousand Columns Group symbolizes various aspects of the human soul, both sins and bright sides, which help us fight the evil we carry inside.

The Thousand Columns Group is an extensive plaza shaped like an irregular quadrilateral, about 150 meters long, with structures on the east and south sides, including the so-called Mercado, which closes off the plaza. On the west side is a colonnade formed by four rows of columns made of stone drums, on which beams rested that supported vaults, and which extended north through the portico of the Temple of the Warriors; while on the north side there was another porch with five rows of columns, located on a platform 2.20 meters high. Remains of four rooms can be seen, two of which were filled in to serve as support for a second floor. The columns were built between 900 and 1200 AD, and traces of plaster coating can be seen on them, which was possibly painted in different colors. Furthermore, the colonnade supported a frieze of Chaac masks and round shields. The northern columns are part of the main set of columns located beside the Temple of the Warriors. They are decorated on all four sides with reliefs of warriors, priests, and sometimes prisoners, as well as squares depicting the bird-serpent man or Kukulkan. This is a large complex arranged around a wide plaza and formed by a series of columns placed in parallel. Each section of the colonnade was built in different stages. The columns of the Northern Colonnade feature bas-reliefs of warriors. The southeastern colonnade occupies a large space covered by a vaulted roof supported by columns. Its function changed constantly. All the columns once supported a frieze and roof, which have since collapsed. The exact roofing material is not known. It was probably made of mortar, wood, or straw.

It is believed these were large assembly halls. The remains of the painted frieze indicate that they were decorated with motifs and Chaac masks, embodying the priestly class that ruled the city.

The Thousand Columns Group in Chichen Itza consists of several platforms located to the left of the Temple of the Warriors and behind it.

Sources:

https://mayanpeninsula.com/en/thousand-columns-chichen-itza/

https://www.chichenitza.com/the-thousand-columns-group

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