The most beautiful national parks in the world. Tikal, Guatemala

The ancient Mayans called Tikal “the place where the voices of the spirits are heard”. The last inhabitants left it back in the 10th century, but some otherworldly presence here is readily believed to this day. In Tikal thousands of archaeological monuments have been preserved: temples, palaces, places for conducting rituals, castles, as well as six huge pyramids of 7-8 centuries with temples on top. It was here that the rebel base for the movie Star Wars was filmed. The park is located in the jungle, so wild animals including ocelots, monkeys and jaguars are also found here. Tourists are not advised to walk around the park unaccompanied, as jaguars are unpredictable animals and walk around the area quite freely.
In the northernmost province of Guatemala, El Peten, is located one of the largest and oldest monuments of Mayan civilization - the cult Ancient City of Tikal, which is part of the national park of the same name, recognized as part of the World Heritage of Humanity.

Tikal occupies a rather vast territory of 16 square kilometers and is spread on a dry limestone plateau, hidden in the heart of the dense tropical jungle, inhabited by many species of exotic animals and birds.
Tikal's first settlers
Scientists believe that the first settlers in this area appeared in the 7th century BC and in its early days Tikal was a small village of a few thatched huts. The settlement grew rapidly, majestic pyramids and palaces were erected, culture and religion developed. And after several centuries, Tikal became a major political, economic and cultural center, dominating among other Mayan cities located on the territory of modern Guatemala. From the first to the ninth century, the city, then called Yashmutul, was the prosperous capital of the Mutul kingdom, and during its peak prosperity numbered between 70,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. But, like many Mayan settlements of that period, by the end of the X century was abandoned and gradually fell into disrepair. Scientists are still difficult to answer the question of why this happened, it is known that there were no military actions in the city, therefore, the inhabitants left it voluntarily, perhaps moving to more fertile lands.
Discoverers of modern Tikal
For many centuries, Tikal remained an abandoned and forgotten city, its religious buildings gradually being swallowed up by the humid tropical jungle. The first expedition that started the research of the ancient settlement, visited Tikal in 1848, and in the middle of the XX century on the territory of the city were already active archaeological excavations and research, thanks to which it is now one of the most studied monuments of Mayan culture.
Central Tikal
All the city's structures are divided into 9 main groups connected by paved roads. At the heart of the complex is the central Gran Plaza, which is adorned on the east and west sides by two pyramids topped by temples. During excavations, a large part of the structures of Tikal did not receive any names, but had numerical or letter designations, so the eastern pyramid was commonly called structure 1 and the western pyramid was called structure 2. But in our days the most significant city constructions, nevertheless acquire own names and the temple on top of 45-meter pyramid I, has received popularity, as Temple of Jaguar, and scientists believe that it keeps in itself remains of the builder, one of rulers of city Hasav-Chan-Kavil. Pyramid number II, built for the burial of his wife, is decorated with a temple, on the bas-relief of which the image of two huge masks can be seen, thanks to this it was named the Temple of Masks.
North side of Tikal
From the north to the central square adjoins the Northern Acropolis, a multi-level structure with about 12 temples, in which for many centuries the people buried their leaders, in memory of this in the square in front of the acropolis, a large number of carved stone steles, decorated with bas-reliefs and inscriptions.
South Tikal
In the south of the Gran Plaza is the Central Acropolis, famous for the remains of palace buildings and the second largest pyramid of the complex. It has not yet received a sound name, and is recorded in the list of architectural structures of Tikal under number V. Scientists believe that the time of erection of this 57-meter pyramid belongs to the beginning of VIII century. And the very small temple on its top, decorated with Chaaca masks, was built for the burial of a Tikal government couple.

Other attractions in Tikal
The city's tallest structure, the Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent, is located near the Gran Plaza and towers 64 meters above the surrounding area. From its top, it offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the park. The construction of this temple dates back to 741 and belongs to the reign of Ikin-Chan-Kawil, whose burial has not yet been found.