Parque Arqueológico Iximche

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• BRIEF REVIEW OF THE PLACE

  Iximche was founded by the Kaqchikel people around the year 1470, becoming the capital of a kingdom that came to cover a large territory.
  It was a fortified defensive city. The city was accessed by a bridge that crossed a moat eight meters deep, while the rest of the city was protected by the deep surrounding ravines. About 170 buildings are known from the monumental center, including temples, pyramids, altars, residential and administrative palaces, dwellings and more. Most of these constructions are distributed around six large plazas where great public events, both political and religious, undoubtedly took place. 

  The name IXIMCHE is the original name of the city and its literal translation is "corn tree" Tecpan Goatemala is the name with which the Tlaxcaltecs identified the city in their Nahuatl language. The Tlaxcaltecs were native to central Mexico but accompanied the Spaniards in the 16th century. It is from this translation that the same name of the country Guatemala is derived, meaning "place of the trees."

  The city was totally abandoned after years of conflict following the Spanish presence in the area during the 16th century. The Spanish officially founded the first city of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala in Iximche. However, such a foundation is merely nominal since their presence in Iximche was relatively short. There are no remains of Spanish constructions at the site.

  Today Iximche is an important Sacred Archaeological Park where Mayan spirituality practitioners from all over the country come to perform their ceremonies. The altar where most of the ceremonies are concentrated is located at the east end of the park, as a resting place for the grandparents, the entire park is considered sacred.

  LOCATION OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
  Iximche is located 6 kilometers south of the municipality of Tecpán Guatemala, 94 kilometers west of Guatemala City.

  As an archaeological park, Iximche is part of Guatemala's cultural legacy and is protected by national laws regarding the conservation of the nation's cultural heritage.
  Iximche is a monument that represents an important component of Guatemalan history.