Palenque

The Mayan palace at Palenque, Chiapas state, southern Mexico. Built during the late classic period around 600 under the rule of Lady K'an Ik', the palace is approximately 90 m/295 ft long and 75 m/246 ft wide. Its walls are made of plaster, with limestone carvings, stucco, and terracotta images inside. The central tower is thought to be an observatory or watchtower.

Mayan ruins in the ancient city of Palenque, Chiapas state, southern Mexico. Palenque was one of the major cities of Mayan civilisation during the late classic period, from about 600-900. Structures such as the Temple of the Inscriptions are known not only for their distinctive architectural style, but also for their carvings, bas reliefs, and hieroglyphics.

Town in the north of the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico, 150 km/93 mi southeast of Villahermosa; population (1995) 78,000. A few kilometres from the city are the ruins of a series of Maya temples dating from about the 4th century AD. The ruins are in good condition and attract many tourists. There is abundant wildlife in the surrounding area, including howler monkeys.

The temples of Palenque Set in a clearing in the jungle, the site is on a steep green hill, overlooking the surrounding plain. The Templo de las Inscripciones is one of the most spectacular of Palenque's temples. There is an observatory tower which Mayan priests used in their astral calculations and construction of a calendar. Inside, the funerary crypt of Pacal the Great, one of Palenque's rulers, was discovered in 1952; he was buried in AD 683. Many other ruins lie in the surrounding jungle. The original village of Palenque reached the peak of its development in AD 692 and is believed to have been abandoned in the 12th century.