Latest news with #NewSevenWonders
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Skip the crowds at Chichen Itza for these lesser-known Maya sites
Nestled in the jungles of the Yucatán, about 45 minutes from Valladolid, lies one of Mexico's most visited archaeological sites—Chichén Itzá. Once a thriving Maya city with an estimated 35,000 residents, it now draws crowds of visitors from around the world to admire its grand temples and explore the region's rich history. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and later named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá continues to break visitation records. While its significance and beauty is undeniable, it's also expensive to visit and overcrowded. For those seeking a quieter, more affordable alternative, these three hidden temples offer a chance to explore the Yucatán Peninsula's lesser-known archaeological sites. (Why the idea that the Maya civilization 'collapsed' is wrong) The Maya civilization once stretched across present-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. At its peak, it had over 2 million people spread across its empire with its most powerful cities in what is now Yucatán and northern Guatemala. Nestled in the dense Lacandón rain forest in Chiapas, Palenque is one of the most impressive Maya sites, known for its multi-level pyramids, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and hidden crypts home to dozens of archeological treasures. Its most famous structure, the Temple of the Inscriptions, has provided archeologists an invaluable look into the Mayan civilization. Partly thanks to its well-protected and detailed hieroglyphics, but also from the crypt below. The 7th century ruler K'inich Janaab' Pakal was buried in the crypt with a beautiful jade mask. The mask is considered one of the biggest archeological finds from the Maya civilization and can be seen in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology. Excavation of Palenque began in the 1940s and remains ongoing. Despite decades worth of work, less than 10 percent of the 1,780-hectare city has been explored; Palenque still holds countless secrets beneath the jungle. You can stay in the city of Palenque for your visit or at one of the more rural eco-lodges and resorts tucked away in the jungle. Hotel Maya Bell is just around the corner from Palenque's entrance; it has charming thatch roof bungalows with air conditioning and an on-site restaurant and pool. Hidden deep in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, this ancient city is one of the least-visited Maya sites. Swallowed by dense jungle for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1931 by biologist Cyrus Longworth Lundell. Calakmul, meaning 'the city of the adjacent pyramids,' is one of the largest Maya cities, with thousands of structures sprinkled across it's 331,397 hectares. Historians believe it was the political heart of the Kaanul, or Snake Dynasty, one of the most powerful Maya dynasties during the Late Classic period (600-900 A.D.). White limestone roads, known as sacbés, connected Calakmul to nearby cities, forming an ancient highway system used for military, diplomatic, and trade alliances. Visiting Calakmul feels like stepping into an Indiana Jones movie, with a high chance of spotting monkeys, turkeys, toucans, and possibly jaguars. Reaching it requires three separate entrance tickets and a 90-minute drive from the nearest train station. Guided tours are encouraged for this reason and usually last around five-to-seven hours. Plan to spend the night in the nearby village of Conhuas or La Selva, Campeche. Entrance tickets, restaurants, and tour guide costs will be cash only, so come prepared with Mexican pesos. (In search of the lost empire of the Maya) Roughly four hours from Cancún and on the way to Mérida, Uxmal was a major city during the Late Classic Period and part of the League of Mayapán. It is one of the best places to see Puuc-style architecture, similar to Chichén Itzá. While its towering limestone pyramids now stand bare, they were once coated in smooth white stucco made by burning trees. Uxmal's buildings aren't laid out with a traditional courtyard design but instead align with the celestial movement of Venus. This makes Uxmal a special place to visit in different seasons, although not as famous as Chichén Itzá on spring equinox. The Pyramid of the Magician, the tallest temple in Uxmal, looms over what was once the city's residential district. Guided tours provide insight into Maya culture, including sacrificial rituals, the Mesoamerican ballgame, and legends like La Casa del Enano, House of the Dwarf, a pyramid said to have been built overnight by a magical dwarf who later ruled Uxmal. One of Uxmal's most distinctive features is the House of the Pigeons, a 240-foot-long structure lined with pyramid-like formations that was named for its resemblance to a pigeon roost. Roughly one hour from Mérida, Uxmal is an easy day trip and a great alternative to the more crowded and expensive Chichén Itzá. Mérida is a fantastic place to stay nearby, with delicious Yucatán cuisine and vibrant streets to explore. Liz Brumer-Smith is a Florida-based freelance writer and travel creator behind the channel Eat See TV. In 2017, she and her husband hit the road full-time in their RV with their two cats, exploring North America and documenting their adventures on YouTube and their blog. Today, Liz shares stories of food, culture, and destinations around the globe.
National Geographic
19-05-2025
- National Geographic
3 of Mexico's lesser-known archaeological wonders
Nestled in the jungles of the Yucatán, about 45 minutes from Valladolid, lies one of Mexico's most visited archaeological sites—Chichén Itzá. Once a thriving Maya city with an estimated 35,000 residents, it now draws crowds of visitors from around the world to admire its grand temples and explore the region's rich history. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and later named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá continues to break visitation records. While its significance and beauty is undeniable, it's also expensive to visit and overcrowded. For those seeking a quieter, more affordable alternative, these three hidden temples offer a chance to explore the Yucatán Peninsula's lesser-known archaeological sites. (Why the idea that the Maya civilization 'collapsed' is wrong) Palenque The Maya civilization once stretched across present-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. At its peak, it had over 2 million people spread across its empire with its most powerful cities in what is now Yucatán and northern Guatemala. Nestled in the dense Lacandón rain forest in Chiapas, Palenque is one of the most impressive Maya sites, known for its multi-level pyramids, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and hidden crypts home to dozens of archeological treasures. Its most famous structure, the Temple of the Inscriptions, has provided archeologists an invaluable look into the Mayan civilization. Partly thanks to its well-protected and detailed hieroglyphics, but also from the crypt below. The 7th century ruler K'inich Janaab' Pakal was buried in the crypt with a beautiful jade mask. The mask is considered one of the biggest archeological finds from the Maya civilization and can be seen in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology. Excavation of Palenque began in the 1940s and remains ongoing. Despite decades worth of work, less than 10 percent of the 1,780-hectare city has been explored; Palenque still holds countless secrets beneath the jungle. You can stay in the city of Palenque for your visit or at one of the more rural eco-lodges and resorts tucked away in the jungle. Hotel Maya Bell is just around the corner from Palenque's entrance; it has charming thatch roof bungalows with air conditioning and an on-site restaurant and pool. Calakmul, Campeche Hidden deep in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, this ancient city is one of the least-visited Maya sites. Swallowed by dense jungle for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1931 by biologist Cyrus Longworth Lundell. Calakmul, meaning 'the city of the adjacent pyramids,' is one of the largest Maya cities, with thousands of structures sprinkled across it's 331,397 hectares. Historians believe it was the political heart of the Kaanul, or Snake Dynasty, one of the most powerful Maya dynasties during the Late Classic period (600-900 A.D.). White limestone roads, known as sacbés, connected Calakmul to nearby cities, forming an ancient highway system used for military, diplomatic, and trade alliances. Visiting Calakmul feels like stepping into an Indiana Jones movie, with a high chance of spotting monkeys, turkeys, toucans, and possibly jaguars. Reaching it requires three separate entrance tickets and a 90-minute drive from the nearest train station. Guided tours are encouraged for this reason and usually last around five-to-seven hours. Plan to spend the night in the nearby village of Conhuas or La Selva, Campeche. Entrance tickets, restaurants, and tour guide costs will be cash only, so come prepared with Mexican pesos. (In search of the lost empire of the Maya) Uxmal Roughly four hours from Cancún and on the way to Mérida, Uxmal was a major city during the Late Classic Period and part of the League of Mayapán. It is one of the best places to see Puuc-style architecture, similar to Chichén Itzá. While its towering limestone pyramids now stand bare, they were once coated in smooth white stucco made by burning trees. Uxmal's buildings aren't laid out with a traditional courtyard design but instead align with the celestial movement of Venus. This makes Uxmal a special place to visit in different seasons, although not as famous as Chichén Itzá on spring equinox. The Pyramid of the Magician, the tallest temple in Uxmal, looms over what was once the city's residential district. Guided tours provide insight into Maya culture, including sacrificial rituals, the Mesoamerican ballgame, and legends like La Casa del Enano, House of the Dwarf, a pyramid said to have been built overnight by a magical dwarf who later ruled Uxmal. One of Uxmal's most distinctive features is the House of the Pigeons, a 240-foot-long structure lined with pyramid-like formations that was named for its resemblance to a pigeon roost. Roughly one hour from Mérida, Uxmal is an easy day trip and a great alternative to the more crowded and expensive Chichén Itzá. Mérida is a fantastic place to stay nearby, with delicious Yucatán cuisine and vibrant streets to explore. Liz Brumer-Smith is a Florida-based freelance writer and travel creator behind the channel Eat See TV. In 2017, she and her husband hit the road full-time in their RV with their two cats, exploring North America and documenting their adventures on YouTube and their blog. Today, Liz shares stories of food, culture, and destinations around the globe.
Ammon
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ammon
Iker Casillas: "I love Petra"
Ammon News - Former Spanish football stars and Real Madrid players Iker Casillas and Michel Salgado visited the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, on Monday as part of a tour of Jordan. In a post on X, Casillas posted photos of himself in Petra city, captioned: "When something is wonderful, observe it as many times as you can. I️Petra" — Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) May 12, 2025
Jordan Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Jordan Times
Spanish football legends Casillas, Salgado visit Petra
Spanish football legends and former Real Madrid stars Iker Casillas and Michel Salgado on Monday visit the ancient city of Petra as part of a tour of Jordan (Petra photo) AMMAN — Spanish football legends and former Real Madrid stars Iker Casillas and Michel Salgado on Monday visited the ancient city of Petra as part of a tour of Jordan. Recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra continues to draw international figures with its historical and cultural significance, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The two footballers were welcomed by Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) Fares Breizat, who briefed them on Petra's archaeological heritage, tourism appeal, and ongoing preservation efforts. Commemorative gifts were also presented to the guests in honour of their visit. Expressing his admiration, Casillas described Petra as 'majestic and beautiful', noting that the site exceeded his expectations and stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the Nabataeans. Salgado called Petra not only a world-class archaeological treasure, but also a powerful symbol of Jordanian hospitality. He commended the organisation of the visit and the warm reception the delegation received. The visit comes as part of PDTRA's ongoing initiative to host influential global personalities to raise Petra's profile and promote Jordan as a premier tourism destination.
Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Jordan Times
Tourism resumes in Petra after heavy rain, flash floods
Tourist activity in Petra is returning to normal after heavy rains and flash floods, with authorities ensuring the safety of visitors and the rapid restoration of affected areas (Petra photo) AMMAN — Tourist activity in the ancient city of Petra returned to normal on Monday after a day of weather-related disruption caused by heavy rain and flash floods. The severe weather on Sunday afternoon prompted authorities to halt ticket sales and temporarily suspend access to the archaeological site, according to Yazan Mahadin, Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA). Mahadin confirmed that Petra, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, is now welcoming visitors from all over the world without hindrance and that tourist movement has resumed at its normal pace. Emergency teams and PDTRA staff were on high alert from the beginning of the weather disturbance and immediately carried out repairs and maintenance on the affected areas to ensure public safety and continuity of tourism activities, Mahadin said. He added that the authority had implemented a comprehensive emergency response plan, which included clearing flood channels, repairing trails and tourist facilities, and deploying field support teams to key locations within the archaeological reserve. Coordination with security forces and civil defence has also been maintained to ensure a rapid and effective response. The safety of visitors and local residents remains the authority's top priority, Mahadin stressed, noting that the PDTRA continues to work around the clock to maintain a safe and secure tourist environment while improving the quality of services provided to visitors. These efforts reflect Petra's global status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, he added.
