Overview:

La Milpa is one of the most important Maya archaeological sites in Belize. Located in the northwestern part of the country near the border with Mexico, La Milpa covers an area of about 234 acres and includes several ancient structures, many of which are still visible today. The city was occupied by the Maya from around 1000 BC until at least the 16th century AD. The ruins provide evidence of several distinct historical periods when they were inhabited by different Maya groups. The site contains two plazas, several altars, artifacts and a number of carved stelae (stone monuments) that commemorate important historical and religious events. Today, La Milpa is part of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a protected reserve, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

1. Located in Corozal district of northern Belize, La Milpa is one of the largest and oldest continuous archaeological sites in Central America. 2. Boasting an impressive array of archaeological wonders, La Milpa remains have attracted archaeologists for decades. 3. The site features stelae (stone monuments), causeways, residential areas, ceremonial courtyards, waterworks, and terraced fields. 4. The terraced fields are the main archaeological highlight of La Milpa and are among the largest in Central America, covering an area of 27 hectares. 5. Nearby is a 2 km –long causeway connecting the core site to other sites within the area, part of the ancient Maya canal transportation network. 6. In addition, the site also boasts two large residential areas plus numerous smaller dwellings and artifacts made of pottery, jade, and obsidian. 7. La Milpa is also home to breathtaking and well-preserved architecture such as ceremonial plazas, platforms, towers, and pyramids. This has led to the site being called the 'Tikal of the East'. 8. La Milpa was first studied in the late 1940s, by Mexican archaeologist Miguel Covarrubias and later by Harvard archaeologist, Gordon Willey in the 1950s. 9. La Milpa is open everyday and is free to access. A small entrance fee is charged to enter the museum, which contains a number of informative displays. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

La Milpa (“The Cornfield” in Spanish) is a large Maya and Mestizo-occupied archaeological site located in the Cayo District of Belize, Central America. Though the area was first used as early as 900 BC, the earliest known constructions date to the Preclassic period (1200 BC). At its peak, La Milpa hosted more than 20,000 individuals and maintained a complex trade network with other Maya cities. Most of the structures at the site are of Late Classic (AD 600–900) origin and were constructed in what is now known as the San Lorenzo style of architecture. La Milpa contains canals, plazas, mounds, houses, and three sizable temples. The most significant pyramids at the site are El Milpero and La Iglesia; each of the temples contain finely carved monuments, stelae, and altars. In addition to its architectural significance, La Milpa is a veritable treasure trove of ceramic and obsidian artifacts, including figurines, vessels, masks, and jewelry. La Milpa was primarily abandoned by the time of the Spanish arrival to the area in the 16th century; however, the site is still revered today by its modern-day Maya descendants, who regard it as a significant religious site and an integral part of their cultural heritage. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. La Milpa is the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize, and the second largest in the Maya world as a whole. 2. The site covers more than 1,200 acres in the rainforest and is estimated to date back over 2,000 years. 3. La Milpa is the only site in Belize with both a restored pyramid and an unexcavated one, giving visitors the opportunity to explore a site that is both made up of modern restoration and original structures. 4. The site is believed to have been a powerful center of trade, exchange, ritual, and political activities amongst various cultures of the ancient Maya civilization. 5. La Milpa houses several groups of ruins, made up of several thousand structures including plazas, temples, platforms, and pyramids. 6. A Spanish mission was established here in 1680, and the ruins have since been used as a shrine of the Catholic Church. 7. La Milpa is home to over 500 species of birds, making it an important eco-tourism destination. 8. The site also contains a wide variety of flora and fauna, including 700 species of native trees and shrubs. 9. Archaeologists are still uncovering the secrets of La Milpa, and many of its structures remain unexcavated. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.