There is no need to travel far to marvel at the Mayan archaeological treasures. The Museum located in Miraflores, Guatemala City has a large collection of materials relating to this great culture.

The Mayan civilization occupied much of the territory of Guatemala City, and settled on what was Kaminal Juyú, a huge complex covering six kilometers including the area now occupied by Miraflores Museum and El Trebol.

The whole complex was placed around Miraflores Lake, now extinct. The lake covered much of what is now Roosevelt and San Juan Avenues.






A museum on the site

The Miraflores Museum has a good location and it is  an attraction for visitors because it provides an area with archaeological remains on the site. It allows access to the mound and observe relics of pottery, ornaments, and tools.







Valuable relics

Guatemala City, culminating in an almost step over it occupied Kaminal Juyú. Miraflores Museum houses the largest number of relics of the ancient Mayan city, and has, besides the ruins of Kaminal Juyú, the second proof of Mayan buildings in this city.







The Maquette/Scale Model

Upon entering the ground, you can see a detailed model of the Lake and Miraflores Kaminal Juyú scale. It is placed under glass that allows her to walk on while appreciated.





History Museum

Its beginnings date back to 2002 and has 12.000 square meters of construction. The exhibition is entered through the front door until in May 2009 opened a tunnel 12 meters deep that connects the shopping center Miraflores. This tunnel is an extension of the complex, with additional 250 square meters.




This new post has exposure of 11 species of live animals, mainly snakes.















Chamber under the mound

The tunnel provides access to a camera that shows the reconstruction of the burial of a sovereign maya, 1,500 years old.

There is also a jade mask of 1.300 years, which belongs to the Late Classic Period. It consists of jade, shell and obsidian.

The mound is covered on the outside and exposed. It has a staircase that allows a panoramic view of the location and the surrounding area.


Exhibition area

The history of excavations and research shows the city Kaminal Juyú more advanced Mayan highlands of Guatemala. Some historical photographs are sequences in the advancement of modern city in the area.

The report also presents numerous ornamental works, pottery, ceramics and obsidian variety of tools.

Among the ceremonial pottery pieces are in great detail in the decoration and color, evidence of progress in Mayan art.



Mayan stela

You can watch the Estela 21 in the exhibition area. The piece shows a profile with two prominent characters, one who is a ruler of cree Kaminal Juyú, stands in a position of control or power, while the other shows an attitude of submission.



At the Museum

There is a huge stone sculpture called Atlante. These are male figures used as columns or pillars. This giant shows evidence of aggression and attempts to split in two, surely intentional actions, very common to be overthrown and religious groups.

Museum admission is priced at Miraflores Q10 to Q20 for children and adults (the date of this report).

The hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00 hours. Closed on Monday.

Located on the 7th. Calle 21-55, Zona 11, on a side of Miraflores Mall. More information on the phones (502) 2470-3415 18.