Palenque history

Ancient Roots and Foundation. The history of Palenque stretches back centuries, long before the arrival of Europeans on the continent. This ancient city, whose ruins attract travellers today, originally bore the name Lakam-Ha, which translates from the Maya language as "Big Water". The first evidence of settlement in this territory dates back to the Early Classic period (around 100 BC); however, the city began to take shape as a powerful political centre roughly between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD, eventually becoming the capital of the influential Baakal Kingdom.

Factors of Prosperity and Geography. The transformation of a small settlement into a majestic city was facilitated by a unique combination of natural conditions and strategic positioning. Palenque was situated at the foot of the Chiapas mountains, where abundant rains fed numerous streams, and Maya engineers created a complex system of aqueducts to manage water resources. Its location at the junction of the highlands and coastal plains allowed it to control trade routes, turning the city into a centre for the exchange of jade, obsidian, tropical bird feathers, and cocoa beans.

Cultural Heritage and Rulers. The Golden Age of Palenque is inextricably linked with the name of the ruler Pacal the Great (K'inich Janaab' Pakal I). It was during his reign and that of his heirs that the majority of the architectural masterpieces preserved to this day were created. Local craftsmen developed a unique style characterized by lightweight structures and intricate stucco relief work, while numerous hieroglyphic inscriptions on the temple walls have allowed scholars to reconstruct the history of the dynasty with remarkable precision.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1st Century BC — Appearance of the first agricultural settlements on the territory of the future city of Lakam-Ha, the ancient predecessor of Palenque.
• 431 AD — Ruler K'uk' Bahlam I founds the ruling dynasty of the Baakal Kingdom, laying the foundation for the city's political power.
• 615 AD — Pacal the Great ascends the throne, marking the beginning of the "Golden Age" of Palenque's architecture and art.
• 683 AD — Death of Pacal the Great and completion of the famous Temple of the Inscriptions, which became his monumental tomb.
• 799 AD — Recording of the last known hieroglyphic date on a stele, symbolizing the decline of classic Maya culture in this region.
• Mid-9th Century — The city is finally abandoned due to political crisis and resource depletion, and its structures are reclaimed by the jungle.
• 1567 — Spanish friar Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada founds the modern settlement of Santo Domingo de Palenque near the ruins.
• 1787 — Captain Antonio del Rio conducts the first official expedition to clear and study the ancient city.
• 1841 — Travellers John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood publish detailed descriptions and sketches of the ruins, revealing Palenque to the world.
• 1952 — Archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier makes a sensational discovery, finding the hidden entrance to Pacal's tomb inside the pyramid.
• 1981 — The territory of the archaeological zone receives National Park status to protect historical monuments and the tropical forest.
• 1987 — The ancient Maya city and Palenque National Park are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The history of Palenque is a journey from a powerful Maya capital to lost ruins and a rebirth as a modern tourism centre. Below are the key moments that defined the economic and urban character of this territory.

• Engineering Urbanisation of the Classic Period.
  Ancient Maya architects did not just build temples; they created a unique system of aqueducts and canals to manage the Otulum River. This urban planning solution ensured water supply for the densely populated centre and protected terraces from erosion, laying the foundation for the city's prosperity in the 5th–8th centuries.
• Founding of Santo Domingo de Palenque (1567).
  Spanish missionary Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada united scattered families of the Chol people into a single settlement. This event is considered the birth of the modern city, which became the administrative and trading centre of the region, existing in parallel with the abandoned ancient site.
• Scientific "Rediscovery" (19th Century).
  Publications by travellers and explorers, such as Stephens and Catherwood, transformed Palenque from a remote agricultural village into a point of attraction for scholars and adventurers from around the world. This marked the beginning of the hospitality infrastructure's formation.
• UNESCO Status Designation (1987).
  The inclusion of the archaeological zone in the World Heritage List became a powerful economic driver. This event attracted government investment and international grants, reorienting the city's economy towards servicing mass tourism flows.
• Opening of the New Airport (2014).
  The commissioning of Palenque International Airport allowed for direct flights from Mexico City and other major hubs. This significantly simplified logistics for tourists who previously reached the site only via long bus journeys from Villahermosa or Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
• Integration into the "Maya Train" Project (Modern Stage).
  The construction of a station within the framework of the massive Tren Maya railway project connects Palenque with Caribbean coast resorts (Cancun, Tulum). This is radically changing the transport accessibility of the region, stimulating investment in the hotel business and service sector.

Architectural Identity and the "Palenque Style"

Unlike many colonial cities in Mexico, the architectural fame of Palenque rests not on Baroque cathedrals or neoclassical mansions, but on the unique heritage of the Maya civilisation. The city represents the pinnacle of architectural thought of the Late Classic Period (600–900 AD). Local architects developed their own inimitable regional style, often referred to as the "Usumacinta Style" or simply the "Palenque Style".

This direction is characterised by the elegance and lightness of structures, unlike the earlier and more massive Maya architecture (such as the Petén style). Key features include:

• Mansard Roofs: Sloping upper parts of buildings, resembling mansards, which gave the structures a visual upward aspiration.
• Roof Combs: Openwork stone superstructures on roofs, serving for decoration and creating an impression of monumentality without excessive load on the walls.
• Wide Doorways: The use of wooden lintels allowed for wider entrances, ensuring better ventilation in the humid tropical conditions.
• Stucco Reliefs: Instead of stone carving, Palenque masters used lime mortar (stucco) to create intricate bas-reliefs covering the walls and roof combs of temples.

Urban Planning and Engineering

Ancient Palenque is a masterpiece of adaptive urban planning. The city was not built on a rigid grid; instead, it is organically integrated into the complex terrain at the foot of the Chiapas mountains. Architects used natural hill terraces to place temple groups, creating an effect of multi-level space nestled within the jungle.

Of particular note is the hydro-technical architecture. Since the city is crossed by numerous streams, ancient engineers created a complex system of underground aqueducts, canals, and bridges. The most famous example is the aqueduct that covered the Otulum stream, which allowed for the expansion of the main plaza in front of the Palace.

Iconic Structures of the Ancient City

The architectural ensemble of Palenque is formed by several dominant structures that define its recognisable appearance:

• Temple of the Inscriptions (Templo de las Inscripciones). The most famous building in the city, representing a stepped pyramid 24 metres high. It is a classic example of a funerary temple: inside lies the famous tomb of ruler Pacal the Great. The building is renowned for its panels with hieroglyphic text recounting the history of the dynasty.
• The Palace (El Palacio). A complex set of buildings, courtyards, galleries, and underground passages that served as the residence of the rulers. A unique element of the Palace is the four-story tower, which was likely used as an observatory or watchtower—an extremely rare element in Maya architecture.
• The Cross Group. A complex of three elegant temples (Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun, and Temple of the Foliated Cross) located on an elevation. They demonstrate the flowering of the "Palenque Style" with perfectly preserved roof combs and sanctuaries inside, dedicated to the patron deities of the city.

Note: The modern city of Santo Domingo de Palenque, located a few kilometres from the ruins, features utilitarian construction from the 20th–21st centuries and does not possess a distinct historical architectural style, functioning primarily as a tourism and logistics hub.

Distinguished Personalities in the History of Palenque

The history of Palenque is inextricably linked both with the great rulers of antiquity who created its architectural appearance, and with the explorers who brought this city back from oblivion. Below are the key figures who played a decisive role in the city's destiny.

• K'inich Janaab' Pakal I (Pacal the Great)
  Ruler of the Baakal Kingdom (615–683 AD)
  The most famous ruler of Palenque, whose reign lasted 68 years. It was under him that the city reached the peak of its power and architectural flourishing. Pacal initiated the construction of the Palace and the Temple of the Inscriptions, which became his tomb. His famous jade mask and sarcophagus are icons of Maya art.
• Alberto Ruz Lhuillier
  Mexican Archaeologist (1906–1979)
  The man who made one of the major discoveries in Mesoamerican archaeology. In 1952, he discovered a hidden staircase inside the Temple of the Inscriptions leading to the untouched tomb of Pacal the Great. This discovery proved that Maya pyramids were used not only as temples but also as tombs. He is buried within the archaeological zone, opposite the Temple.
• Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada
  Spanish Dominican Friar (16th Century)
  The founder of the modern city. In 1567, he gathered scattered families of the Chol Indians and founded the settlement of Santo Domingo de Palenque near the ancient ruins. He is considered the first European to explore and describe the abandoned stone city, naming it "Palenque" (translating from Spanish as "Palisade" or "Fencing").
• Ix Sak K'uk' (Lady Sak K'uk')
  Maya Ruler (7th Century)
  The mother of Pacal the Great and one of the few women who held real power in the Maya world. She ruled as a regent or full queen during a difficult period of dynastic crisis, managing to preserve the throne for her son and transfer power to him when he came of age.
• John Lloyd Stephens
  American Traveller and Writer (1805–1852)
  Together with artist Frederick Catherwood, he visited Palenque in 1840. His engaging books, "Incidents of Travel," became bestsellers and for the first time attracted widespread global attention to the Maya civilisation, dispelling myths that ancient cities were built by Egyptians or Atlanteans.
• Frederick Catherwood
  English Architect and Artist (1799–1854)
  Stephens' companion, who created detailed and incredibly accurate sketches of the Palenque ruins when they were still completely engulfed by the jungle. His lithographs are still used by scholars to study details of bas-reliefs that have since eroded over time.
• K'inich Kan Bahlam II
  Ruler of Palenque (635–702 AD)
  The eldest son of Pacal the Great, who continued his father's work. He completed the construction of Pacal's tomb and erected the famous "Cross Group" (Temples of the Cross, Sun, and Foliated Cross), cementing Palenque's status as the spiritual and artistic centre of the region.