Quirigua archeological park

About

Quirigua archaeological park marks the remains of what was once a flourishing Mayan city, made rich from a monopoly on the Caribbean jade trade. In the 8th century, the entire city was remodelled to suit its role as a royal residence and administrative center, before being abandoned 200 years later. At first glance, the ruins aren’t the most impressive - little more than the foundations remain of the pyramids and other monuments. But take a moment to take in the size of the Great Plaza, the largest known public space in the Mayan empire, and you get a sense of how mighty this city once was. What sets Quirigua apart from other Mayan ruins are its sculptures, which are the largest pre-Columbian carvings in the Americas, and the most substantial stele in the world. These are ornamented with deities and mythological animals, full-figure hieroglyphs, and sculpted calendars, and are considered some of the most elaborate stone inscriptions from the Mayan civilization.