Palenque (Mexico)

Palenque was a powerful Maya city-state that flourished between 500-700 AD in present-day Chiapas, Mexico. Nestled in the jungle-covered foothills of the Sierra Madre, this ceremonial center features some of Maya civilization's most exquisite architecture and sculptures. The city was mysteriously abandoned around 800 AD and reclaimed by the forest until its 18th-century rediscovery. Famous for King Pakal's elaborate tomb in the Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque showcases advanced Maya achievements in astronomy, art and urban planning. Its well-preserved temples and palaces with intricate stucco reliefs provide crucial insights into Classic Maya culture before the civilization's collapse.