Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque
Mexico ·
Description
Palenque is Maya poetry sculpted in limestone. The Temple of Inscriptions holds Pakal the Great's tomb with its jade mask, the Palace shows reliefs of unmatched delicacy, and Chiapas jungle wraps everything in mysterious green. Howler monkeys roar at dawn as mist rises from the pyramids.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Palenque is one of the masterpieces of Maya architecture and sculpture. Pakal's tomb was a revolutionary discovery proving Maya pyramids were also tombs. Reliefs and stucco work are exceptional.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being a Maya architecture masterpiece with Pakal's tomb and exceptional quality reliefs.
It was inscribed in 1987 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).
The tomb is closed; the jade mask is in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology.
For the quality of its stucco reliefs, unique in the Maya world.
Early morning for mist and to avoid heat; the jungle is humid year-round.