The town of Palenque.

Lord Pakal a.k.a. Pakal the great.

The archaeological site.

Temple of the inscriptions.

Lord Pakal's tomb was found inside the pyramid.

Pakal ruled Palenque continuously for 68 years.

Tomb of the red queen.

Temple of the skull.



Probably a God of the underworld.

Temple of the sun.





Temple of the foliated cross.

Relief of the world tree formed by a maize (corn) plant rising from the waters of the earth as
the source of life. The maize plant, the sustainer of life, was sacred and the Maya believed humans
were created by the Gods from corn dough.


King Chan-Bahlum.

The mighty temple of the cross.

Big roofcomb.



Cool view.

The great palace.



It's a long way down.

Five levels of palace stairs.

The palace with it's unique tower.







Time to climb some steps again.



Interior stair.

For some reason T-shaped windows were commonly used.



Cross-shaped window.









The inner courtyard, site of many sacrifices.

Carvings of enemy captives.

A kneeling captive, one of six war lords sacrificed on one glorious day.

Hieroglyphs commemorating various events.





The ball court.

The north group of buildings.







Temple of the count.

Climb, climb...



The Chol trail.

Temple of the jaguar buried in the jungle.

Model of the palace.

Lord Pakal is everywhere.



A sanctuary to the bird God.

A king with a kneeling war prisoner.

Stucco portrait of Chan-Bahlum, son of Pakal.

Hieroglyphic text.

Portrait of a noble.

Portrait of Ahkal Mo' Nahb.

Stucco panel showing the ruler U Pakal K'inich.



Another portrait of a noble.

Panel relief showing a priest, a reigning king, and the ominous presence of Pakal.

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