Be sure to spend some time exploring the impressive Group of the Thousand Columns during your visit to Chichén Itzá. Of all the remarkable structures that make this vast Mayan ruin one of the world’s most famous archeological wonders, the Group of the Thousand Columns is among the most instantly recognizable. Wander between the 200 pillars that give it its poetic name and imagine what this place looked like when it was first built more than 1,000 years ago.

The columns of this plaza once supported a roof that was probably made of grass or hay. Look up now and see nothing above but sky. However, many of the fascinating details of the structure remain, such as the carvings of Toltec warriors that adorn various surfaces. Although the court was once believed to have been a marketplace, many experts now believe it was a place of religious significance that may also have served a secular function in the town’s life, perhaps as a meeting place.

Look for the many familiar Mayan motifs found around the courtyard, including astrological symbols and carved serpents. Walk to the north of the court and see the Temple of the Warriors, the huge structure attached to the courtyard that towers above its many pillars. Climb its ancient staircase for a magnificent view of the columns and of Chichén Itzá’s other structures.

Also next to the columns are ball courts where Mayans played their elaborate ball games. The fervor for sports was enormous, with huge crowds turning out to watch. Try to picture this place filled with spectators cheering on the players and baying for blood. It is thought that members of the losing teams sometimes faced death, so the stakes were very high.

Walk to the Group of the Thousand Columns directly from Chichén Itzá’s most famous building, the spectacular El Castillo pyramid. Explore by yourself, or join one of the many guided tours of the area to hear expert insights on the court’s mysterious and intriguing past.