Templo XIX

Palenque

LoginSave

In 1999, in Templo XIX, archaeologists made the most important Palenque find for decades: an 8th-century limestone platform with stunning carvings of seated figures and hieroglyphic texts detailing Palenque’s origins. A reproduction has been placed inside Templo XIX. The central figure on the south side of the platform is the ruler Ahkal Mo’ Nahb’ III, who was responsible for several of the buildings of the Acrópolis Sur, just as the Grupo de las Cruces was created by Kan B’alam II.

Also on view is a wonderful reproduction of a tall stucco relief of U Pakal, the son of Ahkal Mo’ Nahb'.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Temple of the Inscriptions. Ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Palenque, in the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico; Shutterstock ID 38923966; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Palenque Ruins

    0.18 MILES

    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…

  • Templo de las Inscripciones Group

    Templo de las Inscripciones Group

    0.19 MILES

    As you walk in from the entrance the vegetation suddenly peels away to reveal many of Palenque’s most magnificent buildings in one sublime vista. A line…

  • Temple of the Inscriptions. Ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. ancient, archaeological, archaeology, archeological, archeology, architecture, attraction, aztec, building, chiapas, civilisation, civilization, complex, culture, deserted, empire, excavated, exotic, forrest, grass, green, high, indigenous, inscriptions, jungle, maya, mayan, mesoamerica, mexican, mexico, old, palenque, preserved, pyramid, religious, ritual, ruins, sacred, sightseeing, site, stairs, steps, stone, temple, tomb, tourism, tourist, town, travel, worship

    Templo de las Inscripciones

    0.16 MILES

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

  • Cascada Welib-Já

    Cascada Welib-Já

    17.71 MILES

    Thirty kilometers from Palenque, these 25m-high curtains of water aren't the most dramatic water features in the area, but the turquoise river pools make…

  • Temples of the Cross Group at the Mayan ruins of Palenque.

    Grupo de las Cruces

    0.1 MILES

    Pakal’s son, Kan B’alam II, was a prolific builder, and soon after the death of his father started designing the temples of the Grupo de las Cruces…

  • Acrópolis Sur

    Acrópolis Sur

    0.05 MILES

    In the jungle south of the Grupo de las Cruces is the Southern Acropolis, where archaeologists have made some terrific finds in recent excavations. You…

  • Palenque Northeastern Groups

    Palenque Northeastern Groups

    0.4 MILES

    East of the Grupo Norte, the main path crosses Arroyo Otolum. Some 70m beyond the stream, a right fork will take you to Grupo C, a set of jungle-covered…

  • Templo del Sol

    Templo del Sol

    0.08 MILES

    The Templo del Sol, on the west side of the Acrópolis Sur plaza, has the best-preserved roofcomb at Palenque. Carvings inside, commemorating Kan B’alam’s…

View more attractions

Nearby Palenque attractions

1. Templo XX

0.04 MILES

Discovered in 1999, Templo XX contains a red-frescoed tomb built in 540 that is currently Palenque's most active dig. Archaeologists began restoration…

2. Acrópolis Sur

0.05 MILES

In the jungle south of the Grupo de las Cruces is the Southern Acropolis, where archaeologists have made some terrific finds in recent excavations. You…

3. Templo XVII

0.05 MILES

Between the Cruces group and the Acrópolis Sur, this temple contains a reproduction carved panel depicting Kan B’alam, standing with a spear, with a bound…

4. Templo XXI

0.06 MILES

In 2002, archaeologists found a throne in Templo XXI with very fine carvings depicting Ahkal Mo’ Nahb', his ancestor the great Pakal, and his son U Pakal.

5. Templo de la Cruz Foliada

0.07 MILES

The corbel arches here are fully exposed, revealing how Palenque’s architects designed these buildings. A well-preserved inscribed tablet shows a king …

6. Templo XXII

0.08 MILES

At the eastern edge of the Grupo de las Cruces.

7. Templo del Sol

0.08 MILES

The Templo del Sol, on the west side of the Acrópolis Sur plaza, has the best-preserved roofcomb at Palenque. Carvings inside, commemorating Kan B’alam’s…

8. Templo de la Cruz

0.09 MILES

Steep steps climb to the Templo de la Cruz, the largest and most elegantly proportioned in Grupo de las Cruces. The stone tablet in the central sanctuary…