El Petén - Guatemala - page 521

Sights

1 East Acropolis & Structure 216 D6

2 Greater Astronomical Complex (Plaza F) A4

3 Lesser Astronomical Complex (Plaza C) C6

4 North Acropolis B3

5 Northeast Acropolis B4

6 Palace Ball court B5

7 Plaza A D5

8 Plaza de las Sombras (Grupo Maler) B1

9 South Acropolis A5

Sleeping

10 Campamento Yaxhá C7

Sights
Occupied as early as 600 BC, Yaxhá (translated as 'blue-green water') achieved its cultur-
al apex in the 8th century AD, when it counted some 20,000 inhabitants and 500 build-
ings, including temples, palaces and residential complexes.
It takes about two hours to wander round the main groups of ruins, which have been ex-
tensively excavated and reconstructed. Cover the site in a clockwise fashion, traversing
the original road network. The first group of buildings you come to, Plaza C , is one of a
pair of astronomical observatories. Take the Calzada de las Canteras to the South Acropolis
OFFLINE MAP , a complex of palatial structures from which Yaxhá's aristocracy could watch
the games going on in the ball court below. To the northwest stands one of Yaxhá's most an-
cient constructions, the Greater Astronomical Complex (Plaza F) OFFLINE MAP . The arrangement is
similar to the one at Uaxactún's Grupo E, with an observation tower (unexcavated) facing
a three-part platform for tracking the sun's trajectory through the year. You can ascend the
pyramidal tower (there's a wooden staircase alongside) for jaw-dropping views of the
North Acropolis OFFLINE MAP to the northeast, with a formidable temple rising above the
jungle foliage. From here, take the Calzada de las Aguadas north to reach the Plaza de las
Sombras OFFLINE MAP (aka Grupo Maler), where archaeologists believe throngs of citizens
once gathered for religious ceremonies. Return toward the entrance along the Calzada
Este to reach the high point of the tour (literally), Structure 216 OFFLINE MAP in the East Acro-