Traveling from the town of Palenque, in the Chiapas State of Mexico will take you to Palenque archaeological site for about 15 minutes. This site was once a home to ancient Mayans. In this ancient and interesting ancient city, impressive structures and many archaeological finds can be found. In addition, it's the city that was ruled by the Great King Pakal II who is one of the several most well known Mayan rulers.
Exploring The Interesting City Of Palenque
This very old city is now a National Park and there are great tours offered to this place. There is a museum that can be visited wherein one can see a number of treasures that are on display. If you are done visiting the museum, one can opt to explore the jungle and cross the hanging bridge that will lead you to 'The Queen's Bath', which is a well known sweet water creek. You may also go to 'The Temple of the Cross', 'The Palace', and the 'Temple of the Inscriptions' which is the most remarkable and also the most important ancient structure dominating the plaza where the Tumba real or grave of King Pakal (K'nich Kan B'alam) is found.
The Museum Of Palenque
Treasures such as statues of Kan B'alam taken from the Temple Of The Cross can be found in the museum. One of the statues is a full statue and the other is a stucco head. The museum also displays the beautifully restored throne which was taken from The Palace. Other archaeological remains are found in this museum.
The Palace Found In The Ancient City Of Palenque
The extraordinary palace in the ancient city of Palenque is composed of great structures and an extensive building structure with long rooms and corridors. This is where the ruler of the city resides and where they conduct rituals. In nearly all of the rooms, ornate benches can be found which served as thrones for the rulers. The walls have holes which were thought to be used for pegs that held tapestries, which covered up the doorways and also split up the rooms. The entire Palace was constructed at several different stages. The structures are built at different times and the Tower was last to be built by the Mayans before they abandoned the ancient city. Courtyards, buildings and houses comprised the impressive city.
The Temple Of The Cross Complex
To celebrate the significant dates in King Pakal II's life up to his accession to the throne is the reason why the Temple Of The Cross was built. There are actually rumors that the King might be really buried here and not on the tomb situated on the Temple of the Inscriptions. This is also one other structure in pyramid form. The statue of Kan B'alam with his father, King Pakal I in a smaller figure and in front can be found on the top part. Several other researches deemed that the two figures could possibly be both Kan B'alam, one illustrating him as a young man plus the other as the king. The entrance to the otherworld is represented by The Tree or the Holy Ceiba which stands between the figures.
The Temple of the Inscriptions As A Significant Discovery
From the Mesoamerica era, this temple is deemed to be one of the most vital discoveries. Compared to other many other structures, this pyramid is not as dominating as most. However, it is significant as it holds the tomb of The Great Kan B'alam II, one of the most famous Maya rulers. According to history, the king himself started to rule as king when he was just 12 years and ruled the city for 68 years. That's most likely the key reason why his tomb was the most famous in the Maya ruins. The tomb was covered elegantly with 12 feet by 7 feet, 5 ton splendidly adorned sculptured sarcophagus lid. The cover was intensely as well as meticulously etched with the elegantly dressed king moving down into the otherworld.
It takes more than one day to explore the Palenque National Park. In order to really discover and enjoy the beauty of the place and learn more about the ancient civilization, a two or three day tour is highly advised.
Exploring The Interesting City Of Palenque
This very old city is now a National Park and there are great tours offered to this place. There is a museum that can be visited wherein one can see a number of treasures that are on display. If you are done visiting the museum, one can opt to explore the jungle and cross the hanging bridge that will lead you to 'The Queen's Bath', which is a well known sweet water creek. You may also go to 'The Temple of the Cross', 'The Palace', and the 'Temple of the Inscriptions' which is the most remarkable and also the most important ancient structure dominating the plaza where the Tumba real or grave of King Pakal (K'nich Kan B'alam) is found.
The Museum Of Palenque
Treasures such as statues of Kan B'alam taken from the Temple Of The Cross can be found in the museum. One of the statues is a full statue and the other is a stucco head. The museum also displays the beautifully restored throne which was taken from The Palace. Other archaeological remains are found in this museum.
The Palace Found In The Ancient City Of Palenque
The extraordinary palace in the ancient city of Palenque is composed of great structures and an extensive building structure with long rooms and corridors. This is where the ruler of the city resides and where they conduct rituals. In nearly all of the rooms, ornate benches can be found which served as thrones for the rulers. The walls have holes which were thought to be used for pegs that held tapestries, which covered up the doorways and also split up the rooms. The entire Palace was constructed at several different stages. The structures are built at different times and the Tower was last to be built by the Mayans before they abandoned the ancient city. Courtyards, buildings and houses comprised the impressive city.
The Temple Of The Cross Complex
To celebrate the significant dates in King Pakal II's life up to his accession to the throne is the reason why the Temple Of The Cross was built. There are actually rumors that the King might be really buried here and not on the tomb situated on the Temple of the Inscriptions. This is also one other structure in pyramid form. The statue of Kan B'alam with his father, King Pakal I in a smaller figure and in front can be found on the top part. Several other researches deemed that the two figures could possibly be both Kan B'alam, one illustrating him as a young man plus the other as the king. The entrance to the otherworld is represented by The Tree or the Holy Ceiba which stands between the figures.
The Temple of the Inscriptions As A Significant Discovery
From the Mesoamerica era, this temple is deemed to be one of the most vital discoveries. Compared to other many other structures, this pyramid is not as dominating as most. However, it is significant as it holds the tomb of The Great Kan B'alam II, one of the most famous Maya rulers. According to history, the king himself started to rule as king when he was just 12 years and ruled the city for 68 years. That's most likely the key reason why his tomb was the most famous in the Maya ruins. The tomb was covered elegantly with 12 feet by 7 feet, 5 ton splendidly adorned sculptured sarcophagus lid. The cover was intensely as well as meticulously etched with the elegantly dressed king moving down into the otherworld.
It takes more than one day to explore the Palenque National Park. In order to really discover and enjoy the beauty of the place and learn more about the ancient civilization, a two or three day tour is highly advised.
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If you are interested to learn more about the Mayan civilization then visiting the ancient city of Palenque is the best place to go. Explore the ancient Mayan ruins and learn more about their famous ancient rulers by taking our Palenque tour.
