Flores Island, Artificial island in Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala
Flores is an artificial island in Lake Petén Itzá, connected to the mainland by a causeway and ringed with pink and pastel-colored buildings. A central plaza with colonial architecture forms the heart of the settlement.
Spanish forces conquered the last independent Maya stronghold here in 1697 after centuries of resistance. The town that followed was built atop the ruins of this earlier settlement.
The central plaza displays ancient Maya stelae, while a white cathedral stands built over a former Maya temple foundation. This layering shows how two cultures met and overlapped at this location.
This settlement functions as the main hub for visiting Maya archaeological sites like Tikal and El Mirador in northern Guatemala. It offers lodging and food options that make it a convenient base for longer explorations.
Settlement on this island dates back to around 900 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the Americas. Residents and visitors can sense this deep history in the remains scattered around town.
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