Templo del Barbado and Templo de los Jaguares y Escudos are two ancient Mayan temples which are known in English as the Temple of the Bearded Man and the Temple of the Jaguars. They are among the many well-preserved pre-Spanish buildings found within the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. Explore these temples to gain an understanding of the complex rituals that governed ancient Mayan society.
Find Templo del Barbado at the northern side of Gran Juego de Pelota, or the Grand Ball Court. This large playing field was the site of the ball games that once drew crowds of spectators. The fact that the ball court has significant temples such as this one next to it backs up the belief that there was a religious or ceremonial element to some of the games.
Look for the carvings of bearded men that gave Templo del Barbado its name. In 1875, the famously eccentric explorer Augustus Le Plongeon wrote that the bearded figures looked exactly like him. In reality, these figures are found throughout other examples of Mayan architecture and any resemblance to Le Plongeon was most likely in his imagination.
Visit the much larger Templo de los Jaguares y Escudos on the east side of the ball court. Pause to take in the detail of its remarkable columns, which are adorned with vast stone serpent heads. Make sure you also see the frieze that is the origin of the temple’s name. This shows a shield and a jaguar, an animal of great importance in Mayan culture.
Look down from either Templo del Barbado or Templo de los Jaguares y Escudos and get an excellent view of the ball court. It is likely that the temples served as vantage spots for important members of Mayan society to view the games and rituals that took place in the court.
See Templo del Barbado and Templo de los Jaguares y Escudos as part of a guided tour of the incredible site of Chichén Itzá. Alternatively, simply pay the entrance fee and let your own imagination guide you around the ruins.
