El Palacio

Palenque


Diagonally opposite the Templo de las Inscripciones is El Palacio, a large structure divided into four main courtyards, with a maze of corridors and rooms. Built and modified piecemeal over 400 years from the 5th century on, it was probably the residence of Palenque’s rulers.

Its tower, built in the 8th century by Ahkal Mo’ Nahb’ III and restored in 1955, has remnants of fine stucco reliefs on the walls, but you’re not allowed to climb up inside it. Archaeologists believe the tower was constructed so that Maya royalty and priests could observe the sun falling directly into the Templo de las Inscripciones during the winter solstice.

The northeastern courtyard, the Patio de los Cautivos (Patio of the Captives), contains a collection of relief sculptures that seem disproportionately large for their setting; the theory is that they represent conquered rulers and were brought from elsewhere.

In the southern part of the complex, the extensive subterranean bathrooms included six toilets and a couple of sweat baths.

In April 2018, a stucco mask thought to represent Pakal, along with ceramic figurines and pots, carved bones and other ancient artifacts, were discovered in El Palacio's House E.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Palenque attractions

1. Tower

0.02 MILES

Built in the 8th century by Ahkal Mo’ Nahb’ III and restored in 1955, the tower has remnants of fine stucco reliefs on the walls, but you’re not allowed…

2. Palenque Ruins

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Ancient Palenque stands at the precise point where the first hills rise out of the Gulf coast plain, and the dense jungle covering these hills forms an…

3. Templo X

0.07 MILES

Located between Grupo Norte and the Templo de las Inscripciones group.

4. Templo de las Inscripciones

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Perhaps the most celebrated burial monument in the Americas, this is the tallest and most stately of Palenque’s buildings. Constructed on eight levels,…

5. Templo XI

0.08 MILES

Overgrown and of little interest, Templo XI is the first structure you'll see entering the site from the main entrance.

6. Templo XIV

0.08 MILES

The northernmost temple in the Grupo de las Cruces.

7. Juego de Pelota

0.09 MILES

Palenque's ball court is towards the center of the site, and overlooked by Templo X.

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