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Palenque Archaeological Site: Discover Chiapas’ Majestic Mayan Treasure

The Mayan treasure of Chiapas

Eight kilometers (5 miles) from this Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) is the Zona Arqueológica de Palenque (Palenque Archaeological Zone), one of Mayan culture most important, it was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

 

Although the area that we can visit is only a small percentage of what Palenque really was during its splendor in the Classic period, the Templo del Conde (Temple of the Count), El Palacio (The Palace) and the Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of Inscriptions) stand out, in addition to Templos XII and XIII.

 

El Palacio (The Palace) is the largest area where you can see buildings such as stairways, patios, corridors and even underground passageways. The element that distinguishes this set is a four-sided tower that seems to watch over the visitors.

 

What to visit in the Archaeological Zone of Palenque?

The most important building is the Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of Inscriptions), which inside preserved panels that have allowed us to know the place and its inhabitants history. This is where, in 1952, archaeologist Alberto Ruz L’Huillier discovered the tomb of King Pakal, the ruler of Palenque.

 

The sarcophagus where Pakal’s remains rested was inside a vault and inscriptions narrating his life. Pakal was buried with a jade mask worked in such detail that it’s still intact.

 

Spend a full day visiting the Archaeological Site of Palenque and make a stop at the six rooms Museo de Sitio Alberto Ruz L’Huillier (Alberto Ruz L’Huillier Site Museum) which preserves a large part of the pieces and findings that have been found in different parts of the area.

 


Tourist Attraction
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    It’s believed that the first Toluca valley settlers, and surroundings such as Teotenango, were of Otomí origin, established at Tetépetl hill slopes, 15 minutes away Toluca. Little is known about them. However, it has been discovered that those who had the greatest presence were the Matlatzincas (“those who make nets”), named so by Aztecs because of the wide use they made of net. From this culture remains the Zona Arqueológica de Teotenango (archaeological zone of Teotenango)—stands out for

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    Protected by the very god Quetzalcóatl, you’ll be able to admire the gigantic stone Atlanteans who watch over what was once the most important Toltec city. Find the Zona Arqueológica de Tula in the historic center of Tula de Allende, Hidalgo (entering through Actopan and taking Calle Del Tesoro). Venture to explore this city’s vestiges that until date is a reliable example of its majesty, very much in keeping with its cultured and prudent people; even the great lords’ sons from near and far

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    Declared a World Heritage Site, the archaeological zone of Xochicalco was an ancient ceremonial center and fortified city that had its heyday between 650 and 900 AD, right between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tula. On the hills that form the archeological site, two great basements stand out. The first is known as the Piramide de la Serpiente Emplumada (Feathered Serpent Pyramid), decorated with profuse high reliefs on its sides. There are eight snakes that symbolize the god Quetz