GUIDE TO VISIT THE EDZNÁ ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA IN MEXICO

The archaeological zone of Edzná is located in the state of Campeche, in the Yucatan Peninsula, and is one of the best sites to visit on a trip to Mexico. Then we give you all the information to prepare the visit to the archaeological zone of Edzná.

The name of Edzná comes from the word Ytzná, which referred to the Mayan people of the Itzáes. Therefore, Edzná could be considered as "House of the Itzá". Although it was inhabited since 400 BC, the city had its greatest splendor between the years 400 and 1,000 of our era, when it reached up to 25,000 inhabitants. Time in which he acted as capital over all this territory of the current state of Campeche.

One of the fundamental factors for Edzná to achieve such power and for so long was the control of water. A system of canals (up to six kilometers in length) and reservoirs was designed, with which to distribute and store water, which made regular agricultural production possible.

To reflect this power, both political, economic and religious, huge monumental groups were erected, especially the Great Acropolis and its magnificent Five-Story Tenplo.

Subsequently he suffered a decline until his final abandonment, about the year 1,450.

* Video from inah.gob.mx

The ancient Mayan city of Edzná is located about 55 km from San Francisco de Campeche. At the time we went (November 2018) the road was under construction and it took around 1 hour and a quarter. When it is in better condition, surely in less than 1 hour you can plant there. We made the visit on the way to Xpujil, where we stopped to sleep to go the next day to Calakmul.

Once we leave the car park (free) and pass the ticket office, there is a path through the forest until we reach the site (about 500 meters). At the beginning of this path you will find a fork, on the left it points towards the Great Acropolis, and facing the Old Sorceress. In principle the right path would be on the left, but it was closed so we had to go straight ahead and make a small detour.

We did not reach the building of the Old Sorceress, apparently it is not very worth it, so directly we went out in the Knife Platform, after crossing an entrance arch arranged in the wall.

From there we wanted to leave the main course for the end, then we surrounded the main square and first visited theNohochná, which can be promoted, then we cross the Ball game, and we continue south through the Temple of Mascarones, and going up to the Little Acropolis.

From there we return to the main square, to enter the Grand acropolis, going up some stairs. It is a huge enclosure around which other structures are arranged, the most impressive is the Temple of the Five Floors. Don't miss the views from the Moon House.

In total we take around 1 hour and a half in doing this tour.

The total entry is from 60 pesos, we save having to pay the second government fee as in other Mexican deposits.

These are the buildings that you cannot miss on your visit to Edzná:

Knife Platform

They must be a series of vaulted rooms built on a platform. In the center of each of its sides there is a small staircase and in the upper part you can see the remains of several columns. The name is because in one of the explorations an offering of flint knives was found inside.

Nohochná

Mayan translation of “La Casa Grande”, is a huge stone platform, 135 meters long, 31 meters wide and 9 meters high, which closes the main square on its east side. The face that overlooks the square is practically a large staircase of 15 steps, which was apparently used as a grandstand in events held in the square. It can be climbed to reach the top, where a series of fairly thick walls form galleries. From here you can have a first view of the site, although not the best, it is worth it.

Ball game

Where the ball games so common in the Mayan culture took place. The rules varied from one place to another, although in general the idea was to introduce a hard rubber ball through one of the two stone hoops that hung on the side walls, though, without using the hands or arms. In this, part of one of its hoops is still preserved. In its upper part there are remains of what should be the changing rooms and enclosures where the images of the gods associated with the game were placed.

Temple of Mascarones

The surprise that archaeologists found when exploring this small temple was that of two stucco masks (a kind of plaster) sculpted and preserved beautifully. They are the representation of the sun god richly decorated and painted with various shades, although the one that stands out is the red one. Stucco is a material that erodes easily, so we have some very important examples of Mayan art.

Little Acropolis

On a square base of about 70 meters of side 4 buildings were constructed, of the oldest of Edzná. You can climb them and, although it is somewhat hidden among trees and the views are nothing from the other world, it is a good snack for what awaits you next.

Grand acropolis

It is a quadrangular basement of, eye, 160 meters side and a height of about 8 meters and it is the most important and largest architectural ensemble in Edzná. To access you have to cross the staircase on its west side, and once in the central square, we will see how around 20 monuments of different sizes and for various functionalities are located.

Temple of the Five Floors

It is the jewel in the crown of Edzná. This huge building, 31.5 meters high, is divided into its main façade into 5 levels, in which up to 27 vaulted rooms are opened. The rest of a crest that crowns the upper temple is observed. In its central part there is a stairway (which cannot be climbed) and at the foot of the building there are several hieroglyphs.

Moon House

It is in the southwest corner of the Great Acropolis and, from its top, it is from where you have the best views of the entire enclosure.

- The schedule It is from 8:00 to 17:00 every day.

- The parking It is free, although we were told that they have never had theft problems. There is always someone going around and if you see something strange, call the police. We asked more than anything because this visit was made on the way to Calakmul, and we had everything in the car.

- After passing the ticket office you have some bathrooms in which there is a small machine. There you can buy snacks and water, although normally for what they tell us, because of electrical problems it does not work, so we advise you to bring water, since in the archaeological site there are not many places with shade.

- Thebest views They are obtained from the top of the House of the Moon. The entire enclosure of the Great Acropolis is seen, with the Temple of the Five Floors at the head.

- More information on its official website.

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So far our guide for visit the archaeological zone of Edzná, in the state of Campeche, Mexico. With all the useful information to plan your free visit to this Mayan site.