Yaxchilán celestial jaguars of the end of the world

One of the most powerful State-cities of the Maya Civilization was Yaxchilan (which in Maya Language means Green Stonesî). It is so wide and so full of treasures that with justice it could be considered the true architectural jewel of the Lacandon Jungle.

The the current name of Yaxchilan was recently given but it is believed that it was called Paí Chan (Broken sky). Its governors dominated other smaller cities. And it even rivaled with Palenque (It was called Otolum in the past).

It can be reached only by small aircrafts or by boats that transport visitors though the fast-flowing river Usumacinta, in a 25 minutes trip from the pier at Frontera Corozal (A bordering town from Chiapas with Guatemala). This trip represents itself an experience, because it gives you the sense of exploring virgin territories. And it is one, in a way. Until a couple of decades ago it was not so simple to get there, as it is today, because there were not roads in at least 150 kilometers radius.

The first thing that calls your attention upon arriving is the gigantic Ceibas (ceiba trees) which surround the metropolis, in the middle of the density of the jungle. These trees are so huge that they measure a little more than the height of 50 people, one on another, from the ground to the top!

Yaxchilan, the same as Bonampak, had among its plastic manifestations, wall painting, excepting that, as in other archeological sites, the murals did not end up in good condition to this day, due to different factors, specially the natural type.

You enter to the ancient city by the Great Square through a beautiful labyrinth a little bigger than the one in Tonina. It has also many buildings with lintels, sculptures and steles which narrate the dynastic history of the city. Among the buildings that stand over the others are Buildings 12 and 22 and the Stele 1 which stands on the main square, showing the Bird-Jaguar IV.

A huge stairway communicates the Great Square to the Great Acropolis; it is decorated by Building 33, the most magnificent in the city. There are hieroglyphs in the stairway, with scenes of the Bird-Jaguar IV, playing ball; his decapitated sculpture sits also over the lintels.

A shocking Lacandon legend states that when the head of the Bird-Jaguar returns to its place, the world will be devastated by celestial Jaguars, disturbing, isnít it?

When leaving the site, the visitor might feel overwhelmed for the last time with the view which is offered by the immense city next to the river, as a good bye.

And who knows, maybe the visitor will leave the site thinking in the Celestial Jaguars of the End of the World, wishing that the Bird-Jaguar does not recover its head soon.

CONTACTO

Call Center 01 919 30015 Ext. 134

CÓMO LLEGAR

Desde Lacanjá Chansayab, se accede a la Carr. Fronteriza del Sur en dirección hacia Chancal· y se toma el desvío a Frontera Corozal, donde está el embarcadero.

COSTOS

Entrada general $ 55 mxn

Entrada a Frontera Corozal $ 56 mxn

Traslado en lancha $ 300 mxn (6 pax.)