Overview:

is an ancient Maya plaza located just outside the village of San Jose Succotz in the Cayo District of Belize. West court is the lesser known but equally brilliant side of Xunantunich which boasts of the largest collection of stelae found in the archaeological site. West court is a plaza formed by five main structures, four of which are temples. The architecture of these buildings and the stelae found in them demonstrate the level of sophistication of the ancient Maya civilization. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

1. Large Stela - The main feature of the Xunantunich West Court is the large carved stela, standing over seven and a half feet tall. It depicts a man standing with his arms crossed in front of him, and it dates back to between 600 and 900 A.D. 2. Altar - The altar is located in the center of the court and is decorated with a number of carved hieroglyphs. It is believed to have been used for religious ceremonies or rituals. 3. Platforms - There are two platforms, located on either side of the court, and they are believed to have been used as royal benches or standing platforms for rulers or priests. 4. BallCourt - The Xunantunich West Court includes a large BallCourt that was used for rituals and ball games during the classic period of Maya culture. 5. Plazas - The court is surrounded by plazas, which are grassy areas that might have been used for community gatherings or other social functions. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Xunantunich West Court is a late ancient Maya ceremonial complex located in Belize. It was an important regional center during the late Classic Period of Mesoamerican history. Located on top of a ridge overlooking the Belize River and the town of San Ignacio, it is accessed by a hand-cranked motor ferry across the river. The West Court of Xunantunich was likely built in the Late Classic period from 750 – 950 AD. It consists of several platforms connected by four causeways radiating from the center of the site. The largest structure, the El Castillo pyramid, is at the center of the West Court. At the Western end of the West Court is the Great Plaza, which is a large rectangular plaza lined with stelae and platforms. The stelae are decorated with images and glyphs, and the platforms have many ceremonial vessels. The West Court is believed to have been an important regional center for various rituals, political activities, and military events. It was likely used as a gathering point for people from different communities from the nearby areas. It continued to be used as an important regional center until the Spanish invaded the area in the 17th century. After that, Xunantunich was abandoned and left to fall into disrepair. In 1978, the site was rediscovered and excavation and restoration began in the 1980s. Today, Xunantunich West Court is a popular tourist attraction in Belize. It has become a destination for those interested in Maya culture and history. The site is open to visitors and has a small museum that offers information about Maya artifacts and history. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. Xunantunich is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in Belize. 2. It was first settled by the Middle Preclassic Maya and contains more than 25 temples and an impressive array of ceremonial buildings. 3. Xunantunich was the most important site in the Belize valley during the Late Classic Period (AD 600-830). 4. The site was first documented by Teobert Maler in the late 19th century. 5. The fascinating West Court of Xunantunich contains a series of five stucco-covered terraces, decorated with some of the finest Classic Period relief sculptures known from Belize. 6. It is believed that the West Court served as the administrative center for the ruling elite of Xunantunich. 7. Xunantunich is located atop a natural limestone ridge, with three distinct plazas and many structures providing a breathtaking view over the Belize Valley. 8. Today, Xunantunich is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Central America and a major tourist destination. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.