After exploring the Grand Plaza we walked up the Acropolis. The Acropolis is the main temple complex at Bonampak. It contains several smaller temples within it, including Edifices I (Roman numeral “1”), II (“2”), III (“3”), IV (“4”), V (“5”), VI (“6”), VII (“7”), VIII (“8”), IX (“9”), X (“10”), and the hilltop temples. The Acropolis also has several Stelae, including II (“2”) and III (“3”). I loved exploring the Acropolis. And Edifice I is definitely my favorite temple at Bonampak.
According to the INAH Plaque accompanying this temple complex, the Mayans built the Acropolis upon a natural hill, terracing the north side into 3 levels. The Mayans built the largest temple on the 1st level: Edifice I, also called the Temple of the Paintings; Edifice II which, because of its size, could not have supported a stone vault roof; and Edifice III. On the 2nd level is Edifices IV (“4”) through VIII (“8”). Edifice IX (“9”) sits on a platform slight higher and behind Edifice IV (“4”). Edifice IX (“9”) contains a finely carved stela. Edifice X (“10”) sits to the right of Edifice IX (“9”). The remains of 3 small temples sit on the 3rd level, just below the hilltop. At least 2 smaller and older
Acropolises are buried within the present 1. A monumental stairway with low reinforcements leads onto the 1st level, while a narrow but high stairway connects to the 2nd level, 77 feet above the courtyard.