Palenque

Palenque. Not a lesser known ruin. In fact, it is one of México's most dynamic Mayan ruin sites. Located in the foothills of the Southern Sierra Norte de Chiapas mountains, Palenque contains hundreds of ruined buildings spread over 15 sq. km. As in other ruin sites, temples were built over ancient temples and discoveries are being made as archaelogists continue to dig. Palenque flourished from 630 AD to 740 AD. That is when Pakal and later his son Kan Baláam II had many of the temples seen today constructed. The more I learn about the Mayan history, it seems that all of these sites find evidence of human habitation as far back as 3000 bc.

The Temple of the Inscriptions was constructed by the Ruler Pakal. (Actually he began its construction for his tomb and his son had the temple completed once Pakal's remains were safely protected inside.) His tomb was discovered deep inside the temple in the 1950's. Back in the 80's we climbed the pyramid and then walked down a steep set of interior stairs to the tomb where we saw artifacts and the carved stone sarcophagus lid was in place. These items have since been removed to museums. Visitors are no longer allowed to climb this pyramid and they closed the interior due to excessive human humidity which negatively affected the preserved state of the findings.

The current viewing of Pakal's empty tomb through a new opening at the base of the Temple of Inscriptions.


The shadow of the snake god Kukulcan climbs up the great temple at sunrise on the day of the winter solstice, December 22, 2007.

The Palacio is comprised of four main buildings and courtyards.

Stelae found on site.

Inside the Palacio are underground walkways and arches.

Inside one of the courtyards in the Palacio.

Love these windows.

Below are more shots of the Palacio. The cross you can see signifies north, east, south and west to the Mayans.

The Northern group.

Current dig in the Acropolis Sur.

Looking up at the ball court.

I like this shot. I imagine that could be my room.

The largest temple in the Group of the Crosses.

God in stone.

Magic photo..temple in the group of the crosses.

As you can see by the excessive photo display, Palenque is one of my absolute favorite places. The first time I visited the ruins I slept in the hotel across the road from the park entrance. Now it is a museum and gift shop and parking lot. When I first heard the monkeys I was scared witless, I really thought there were lions and tigers and bears running around outside my room.

The road to the ruins from the village of Palenque is lined with places to stay. There are eco-hotels, cabañas, camping, upscale hotels; the gamut. You can find some nightlife there, mostly drummers and fire dancers. It is a very laid back area. It is a magical place. It is one place I like to visit as often as possible.