Overview:

Palenque is an ancient Mayan city located in the foothills of the Chiapas rainforest in southern Mexico. It was the largest and most important city in the northern Maya lowlands in the 7th century AD, and is famous for its impressive architecture and many beautiful sculptures. The city served as an important trade route and political center throughout the Classic period of the Mayan civilization, between 250–900 AD. The site includes numerous temples, plazas, and other structures, as well as evidence of an ancient plumbing system and irrigation. Palenque is also known for its significant contribution to Mayan hieroglyphic writing. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Mexico
Prominent Features:

1. El Palacio: El Palacio is one of the most iconic structures of Palenque and the most important structure in the Mayan world. It is a five-leveled building carved from pink sandstone and is known for its grand entrance staircase. El Palacio is surrounded by numerous other structures, including the Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Cross, and Temple of the Sun. 2. Exquisite Architecture: Palenque is renowned for its unique and intricate architecture. This includes the stucco hieroglyphs that adorn the walls of the buildings along with the mix of sculptured figures, reliefs, and stone inscriptions. 3. Water Systems: Palenque was known for having complex water systems, which allowed the Mayans to raise water levels and irrigate the surrounding areas. 4. Cenote: The cenote found at Palenque is a source of fascination and provides a glimpse into the Mayan civilization. The cenote is a natural sinkhole filled with water, which had a religious and ceremonial significance to the Mayans. 5. Surrounding Jungle: Palenque is home to lush vegetation, which includes a stunning mix of tropical plants and trees, all arranged in perfect symmetry. The rainforest is home to numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, making Palenque a great destination for birdwatching and wildlife photography. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Mexico.

History:

Palenque is an ancient Maya city located in Chiapas, Mexico. It flourished around the 7th century CE and is renowned for its extraordinary architecture, including ornate carvings and three dimensional stucco-decorated walls. It was once the political and economic center of the region, and its hieroglyphic inscriptions are among the most legible from the Pre-Columbian era. Palenque is likely most well-known for its Temple of the Inscriptions, an ornately decorated palace where the tomb of its founder, K'inich Ahkal Mo' Naab', was discovered in 1952. The Palenque site has been the subject of archaeological exploration since the 18th century, when José Antonio Calderón made the first recorded discovery of the main temple complex. It was first explored by explorer John Lloyd Stephens in 1840, and later Frederick Catherwood and others. In 1926, English poet and photographer, Alfred Maudslay, visited Palenque and documented extensive architectural and human remains in hundreds of photographs. The tempo of scientific exploration of Palenque was significantly increased after 1949 when Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier excavated the Temple of the Inscriptions, uncovering the crypt which contained a sarcophagus of Pakal the Great, ruler of Palenque from 615-683 CE. Lhuillier excavated a substantial portion of the city, uncovering numerous works of art as well as the ruins of numerous other temples and buildings, enabling it to be attributed to the Maya civilization. The site was renamed “Palenque” in the mid-19th century and was declared a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Today, it is one of the best examples of Classic Maya civilization ruins and one of the most visited Maya sites in Mexico. It offers insight into the culture of the ancient Maya and the history of Mexico. Visit one of the famous monuments of Mexico with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Palenque is a Maya archaeological site located in the north central part of Chiapas, Mexico. 2. It was first occupied around 350 BC and rose to power as a major regional political center. 3. Palenque was one of the few Mesoamerican sites to have an actual palace, as opposed to just a temple. 4. Palenque is thought to have been inhabited by the Maya during the Early Classic Period (approximately 250-600 C.E.) 5. The city was a major hub for the Maya Long Count calendar system, with the longest known period recorded by the Maya beginning there. 6. Palenque is unique among Maya ruins for its vibrant painted carvings and statues. 7. The city is believed to have been abandoned by 900 C.E., when the last Maya ruler was driven out by invading armies. One of the historical monuments of Mexico, it tells the story of a bygone era