Palenque

Ruined ancient Mayan city of the Late Classic Period (c. AD 600–900) in what is now Chiapas state, Mexico. It is considered the most beautiful of Mayan sites. The Palenque builders designed temple pyramids and palaces with mansard-style roofs and walls embellished with delicate stucco reliefs of rulers, gods, and ceremonies. The principal structure is the palace, a labyrinth of galleries with interior courts and a four-story square tower. The great Temple of the Inscriptions is noted for its hieroglyphics and a vast funerary crypt, filled with jade, that was discovered in 1952. The city's ruins were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

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