Paris1972-Versailles2003

Once again looking in my vault of pictures found one picture, only one that I can find but worth mentioning in my blog. This was the desire to see more of the place of our world in one of business trips to Mexico several years ago,. The locals told me about it so asked to see it and they took me there by plane from Mexico City, a memorable road warrior trip, Therefore, let me tell you a bit on the Palenque archeological park in Palenque, Chiapas !!!  Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The town of Palenque is an archaeological site located in the center of the tropical rainforest in the state of Chiapas in México, It is 282 km from Tuxtla Gutiérrez (the capital) and 220 km from San Cristóbal de las Casas. It is one of the most important sites of the Mayan culture along with Chichén Itzá, Calakmul and Tikal. It stands out for its architectural and sculptural heritage. The area discovered until 2005 covered 2.5 km², but it is estimated that not even 2% of the surface that reached the city has been explored, with more than a thousand structures still covered by the jungle. In 1981, Palenque was designated a national park. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1987.

The town of Santo Domingo de Palenque was founded near the archaeological site around the 17C. The first documented archaeological exploration of Palenque took place in 1787. It is believed that the Maya founded Lakam Ha during the Formative Period (2500–300 BC), around 100 BC, as a predominantly agricultural village, favored by the numerous springs and streams in the region. The most important buildings of the ceremonial center are located on a platform measuring approximately 500 meters from north to south and 300 meters from east to west. It is bordered by a cliff that separates it from the Tabasco plain, and to the south it borders the elevations of the Chiapas mountain range. However, the archaeological site is much larger, estimated to cover approximately 6-8 km from east to west. I came here from Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City by plane on Mexicana to the Palenque International Airport, and then by car to the Palenque archeological park 13 km away,along the 199 road passing by the town of Palenque and continuing along the Carretera Palenque Ruinas to the parking you walk to the temple,

The archeological site is entered through a series of temples such as Temple XII, called the “Temple of the Death’s Head” because of a stucco depicting a skull; Temple XIII, which contains the stone sarcophagus of the “Red Queen”; the Temple of the Inscriptions has a nine-story pyramidal base. The Palace consists of thirteen houses and a very curious tower, all distributed around four patios, with three underground galleries and a very elaborate drainage and evacuation system. The various buildings that constitute it rest on a platform 10 meters high (33 ft) and with a surface area of ​​80 x 100 meters (262 ft x 330 ft). The Temple of the Count (see pic afar) owes its name to the fact that it served as the home of the Count of Waldeck, although in reality, he lived for two months at the foot of the Temple of the Cross. The Count of Waldeck was a French artist and explorer who drew Mayan sites, notably those of Palenque and Uxmal. Three tombs were discovered beneath the floor of this temple, containing funerary furnishings. The Group of Crosses consists of the Temple of the Sun, it rests on a three-story pyramidal structure. The temple retains most of its crest. the Temple of the Cross, In its sanctuary, one can see the representation of Pakal II presenting his son Chan Bahlum II with the insignia of power. The two figures stand on either side of the cross-shaped world axis and are flanked on the outside by bands of glyphs tracing a genealogy that legitimizes access to power. On the right side of the sanctuary, the god L is depicted smoking. He is a god of the underworld. the Temple of the Foliated Cross, this temple contains a similar representation to that of the Templo de la Cruz: Pakal II presenting his son Chan Bahlum II with the insignia of power. Temple XIV was built by Kan Hoc Chilam II, who ruled from 702 to 711.

The ancient Mayan site of Palenque was unknown to the Spanish when they founded the town. Since its discovery in 1740 by Father Antonio Solís, it has been culturally and economically important to the city. The ruins were visited in 1773 by Ramon Ordóñez de Aguilar representing the province of Guatemala, to which Chiapas belonged. The ruins were visited by English explorer Thomas McKay in 1822. The tomb of Pakal was discovered by Alberto Ruz Lhuillier in 1951. The Palenque site museum was established in 1958. Today, the site is one of the most important tourism attractions in Chiapas.

The Chiapas State tourist office on Palenque archeological park : https://visitchiapas.com/v1/Destino-palenque

The Mexico National Tourist Office on Palenque : https://visitmexico.com/en/destino/1944/palenque

The Pueblos Magicos or magical towns of Mexico on Palenque : https://pueblosmagicos.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/chiapas/palenque/

There you go folks, one of the nice trips I made while visiting Mexico several years ago, a pleasant memory forever. Get to see the country and get to know the country better, it works all the time for me! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Palenque archeological park in Palenque, Chiapas !!! as I. 

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!