Only when you travel to Quirigua you can appreciate the imposing fascination transmitted by watching face to face the stele keyed in the ten cents coin, one of the biggest constructed by the Mayan civilization.

An unpaved road seems to swallow the vehicle on which we travel. A sea of bananas frames the valley that forms the Motagua River on its way to the Atlantic, and in here is the place where our destination is hidden, the archeological site of Quirigua.

The gigantic stone steles, like sleeping sentinels that rest under the shadow of palm leaves, arise as proud protectors of the legacy of one of the main cities of the Classic Mayan period.

The park, which includes a plain of 10 square kilometers, shelters in its interior 41 pieces, between steles, altars and zoomorphic figures. A ball game area and an acropolis decorated with polychromatic plaster can also be found.

The surrounding vegetation of the place is also attractive. It is dominated by big size ceibas, even one that exceeds 80 meters, as well as fruit trees. The leafy forests complete the atmosphere of a calm and heartwarming setting for any tourist.

To get to Quirigua you must take the road to the Atlantic, up tokilometer 270, where you will find a clearly identified detour. Onceout of the main road you must travel for around four kilometers,through a path that runs in the middle of a banana estate.

The place opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 to 17:00 hours, andthe entrance fee is Q.5.00 for nationals and $2.00 for foreigners. Evenif there is a small store on its interior, the most advisable is tobring your own food and make a picnic in the gardens and tables foundin the site.

Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent, as well as fresh clothessince the high humidity concentration makes it a very hot place almostall year round.

The complete trail will take you no more than one hour, so if yourdestination is the Atlantic Coast, visit Quirigua, an excellent placewhere you can take a rest and get in contact with the history of ourcountry.

The citadel's time of greatest prime was during the kingdom of CuauacCielo (725-784 after Christ). This sovereign, in search for itsautonomy, began a war against Copán, which he defeated in the year 737.

Since he had no burden and he did not needed to pay any more tribute,Cuauac Cielo unrestrainedly allowed his artisans to build importantconstructions, like the acropolis and several steles in sandstone, richin the region.

In honor to this king, stele E was erected, the highest found inGuatemala up to know, it measures 10.5 meters. It stands out for thecareful elaboration of its engravings. Figures with bears (not commonamong the Mayas), genealogies, details of the war and lunar dates canbe admired and studied today, thanks to this stele.

During the XX Century, studies and discoveries made in the zonemotivated UNESCO into declaring the park an Archeological Patrimony ofHumanity. Nowadays, the Guatemalan Tourist Institute (INGUAT) and theMinistry of Culture and Sports watch over its conservation, as anarcheological site as well as a tourist destination.