Palenque, Archaeological site in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico

Palenque is an archaeological site in the Mexican state of Chiapas, set within dense rainforest at the foot of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. The complex includes several stone temple buildings, ceremonial platforms, and a large palace compound with numerous rooms and reliefs.

The city experienced its peak between the 5th and 8th centuries, when kings like Pakal and his successors commissioned most of the buildings. Toward the end of the 8th century the city was abandoned, and the jungle reclaimed the ruins until their rediscovery in the 18th century.

The Palace shows a four-story building with a tower once used for observing stars and the horizon. The open courtyards and corridors let visitors understand Maya construction methods and their adaptation to the tropical climate.

The paths lead through excavated areas and connect the main buildings, with some sections steep and uneven. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring plenty of water, as the climate is hot and humid.

The hieroglyphic panels in the Palace depict the accession of three kings: K'inich Janaab' Pakal I, K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II and K'inich Ahkal Mo' Nahb III. Each scene shows the ruler receiving symbolic objects of power from his ancestors, and the panels are among the longest Maya texts at the site.