Zaculeu

Zaculeu is a Mayan settlement in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, perched on a natural plateau at roughly 1900 meters above sea level. The compound features several pyramid temples arranged around open plazas, along with a ball court and buildings with broad twin staircases.

The settlement grew between 250 and 600 CE, drawing influence from distant Teotihuacán and becoming a key center in the western highlands. In 1525, Gonzalo de Alvarado took the city after a prolonged siege, ending the independent rule of the region.

The compound takes its name from the Mam language, where Zaculeu means White Earth, a reference to the pale stucco that still covers the stone platforms. Visitors today see this coating restored on several temples, giving the place a clean, geometric appearance that stands out against the surrounding hills.

The compound sits on a plateau bordered by steep ravines on two sides, with a single land access from the north. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, as the paths can be uneven and the temple steps quite steep.

Excavations uncovered metal objects made from tumba, a gold-copper alloy, pointing to long-distance trade links during the Postclassic period. Such finds are rare in the region and show that the city took part in wider exchange routes.