Quirigua
7/9/2009
The archeological site at Quirigua is barely an hour southwest of Rio Dulce, along CA-9, the carretera to all points west in Guatemala. Quirigua is an interesting site in that the ruins here are primarily a collection of stelae, pictorial inscriptions on columnar stone slabs. The Mayan community at Quirigua was originally under the rule of the larger city of Copan, in Honduras. The stelae and zoomorphs on display at Quirigua are essentially a tribute to the leader Cauac Sky, who gained independence from Copan and subsequently commissioned the carvings throughout his 38-year reign from 737 to 784.
Stelae in the Great Plaza, Quirigua
Sandstone beds in the nearby Rio Motagua supplied the medium for these carvings and the results apparently include the largest discovered stela in the Mayan world – extending 8 meters above ground and 3 meters below and weighing 60,000 kg. The stelae are displayed in the beautifully manicured great plaza, which parallels an extremely lush tropical forest with huge trees and impressive conglomerations of bromeliads and epiphytes. The plaza culminates in an acropolis with few small ruins, which are under active restoration. The archeological site costs 80 quetzals per person for entry and although small in size, is meticulously managed and well worth the short drive off the main road through an impressive banana plantation.
Zoomorph, Quirigua
Stela, Quirigua
Acropolis, Quirigua
Great Plaza, Quirigua
Thus far the roads in Guatemala have been outstanding. We continued west from Quirigua along CA-9 toward Guatemala City, and while this seems to be a busy trucking route between the capital city and Puerto Barrios, the roads are in excellent condition. After bearing north toward the town of Coban on CA-14 just past San Agustun Acasaguastian, the truck traffic diminished and the roads remained beautifully paved through the winding mountain passes. We were thrilled to enter the cloud forests, pass through the Biotopo de Quetzal, and begin our quest for its elusive namesake, the national bird, the resplendent quetzal.
CA-9, between Quirigua and Rio Hondo
The archeological site at Quirigua is barely an hour southwest of Rio Dulce, along CA-9, the carretera to all points west in Guatemala. Quirigua is an interesting site in that the ruins here are primarily a collection of stelae, pictorial inscriptions on columnar stone slabs. The Mayan community at Quirigua was originally under the rule of the larger city of Copan, in Honduras. The stelae and zoomorphs on display at Quirigua are essentially a tribute to the leader Cauac Sky, who gained independence from Copan and subsequently commissioned the carvings throughout his 38-year reign from 737 to 784.
Stelae in the Great Plaza, Quirigua
Sandstone beds in the nearby Rio Motagua supplied the medium for these carvings and the results apparently include the largest discovered stela in the Mayan world – extending 8 meters above ground and 3 meters below and weighing 60,000 kg. The stelae are displayed in the beautifully manicured great plaza, which parallels an extremely lush tropical forest with huge trees and impressive conglomerations of bromeliads and epiphytes. The plaza culminates in an acropolis with few small ruins, which are under active restoration. The archeological site costs 80 quetzals per person for entry and although small in size, is meticulously managed and well worth the short drive off the main road through an impressive banana plantation.
Zoomorph, Quirigua
Stela, Quirigua
Acropolis, Quirigua
Great Plaza, Quirigua
Thus far the roads in Guatemala have been outstanding. We continued west from Quirigua along CA-9 toward Guatemala City, and while this seems to be a busy trucking route between the capital city and Puerto Barrios, the roads are in excellent condition. After bearing north toward the town of Coban on CA-14 just past San Agustun Acasaguastian, the truck traffic diminished and the roads remained beautifully paved through the winding mountain passes. We were thrilled to enter the cloud forests, pass through the Biotopo de Quetzal, and begin our quest for its elusive namesake, the national bird, the resplendent quetzal.
CA-9, between Quirigua and Rio Hondo
This is gorgeous! I can't get over how lush and green everything is. I hope you guys are having a ball. Jealous!!
I also hope you come back with some mystical insights. Those carvings likely have something to say about doomsday.
Reply to this