$18.00Caracol Observatory to The Stars

myminifactory

The 'Caracol' observatory stands proudly in the Chichén Itzá area of Yucatán, Mexico. Its name "Caracol" - Spanish for snail - originates from a spiral staircase that spirals up to the second floor, where a small, rectangular chamber with windows was strategically placed. Today, three functioning windows remain and provide valuable clues about why this structure was built and what its purpose was. According to archaeologists, the final version of the Caracol dates back to A.D. 900-1000. The square platform that supports the building is aligned perfectly with the sun's position on May 20th, marking the zenith passage day. Meanwhile, the staircase, uniquely rotated, faces directly towards the northern and southern extremes of Venus' setting point on the horizon, as well as pinpointing the exact spot where the sun sits during equinoxes. We've taken creative liberties by incorporating a massive sextant/gyroscope onto its top, which can be easily added or left intact to showcase its original design. By removing the 'room on the top,' users can now view the inside of the turret, and we're confident it looks even more impressive this way. Although we weren't able to replicate the spiral staircase within, we successfully simulated a rotated front stairway that directly points towards Venus - something we're particularly proud of. The Caracol Observatory is an integral part of our Mesoamerican collection.