Flores

Being an ancient Mayan city (at that time it was named Tayasal, as the Spaniards called it, and the Maya named it Ta-Itza − "the place of the people of Itza" or Peten But − "city-island"), Flores is located on a small island in Peten Itza Lake, not in the depths of impenetrable jungle, which is typical for many cities of the ancient civilization. It is due to the fact that the city was completely destroyed by the Spaniards, who chosen to build new buildings on the taste at the same place. During the colonial period the city languished in obscurity until Tikal was discovered, the most convenient way to which lies just to the east through Flores. The old part of the city is on an island in Peten Itza Lake, and the island is connected to the mainland by a small causeway.

Ancient Flores − Tayasal − was the last Mayan city-state conquered by the Spanish conquistadors. It happened in 1697, although the attempts of the capture have been made by the Spaniards since 1629. More than twenty of snow-white temples of Itza-Mayas were razed to the ground, the ancient idols were broken, and the receptacle of priceless ancient Mayan knowledge − the sacred books with hieroglyphic texts and colorful illustrations − were simply burned... The materials of which the structures of the ancient city were built were used by the Spaniards for the construction of a Catholic church and the buildings of the new city founded by them on the place of completely ruined Mayan city. Raised directly on the ruins of the ancient Tayasal, Flores nowadays has become almost insurmountable obstacle to the archaeological dig: the ancient city is right under houses and roads of the contemporary one.

Flores is very beautiful, green city of Guatemala. You will bypass it for only 15 minutes on foot. There is the main square at the center of this picturesque town, on the hill, with its buildings of the House of Government and the old church. Tourists can also view the zoo, located 3 km east of the city, the ruins of the Mayan Classic period in Motul 4 km south of Flores and amazing caves. Three separate caves of Actun Kan are situated one behind the other, so that a river flows through them. They are good for rafting on the inflated air chambers, thus it is necessary not to forget to wear a headlamp, because the river leads away to a dark cave vaults.