After visiting Temple XI in the Court of the Hieroglyphic Staircase, we walked over to the East Court. The East Court includes Temples XVII (Roman numeral “17”), XVIII (Roman numeral “18”), XIX (Roman numeral “19”), Temple XX (Roman numeral “20”), Temple XXI (Roman numeral “21”), Temple XXIA (Roman numeral “21A”), Temple XXII (Roman numeral “22”), and Temple XXIIA (Roman numeral “22” A); and Stela XI (Roman numeral “11”). The East Court looks and feels like a football stadium, although the energy here feels more peaceful than a sports stadium. Standing on top of the Court you have a magnificent view of the Copan River Valley. I liked the East Court; it felt good.
According to the government sign accompanying this court, the East Court is a plaza known for its high relief Jaguar sculptures. Bleacher steps surround the East Court. Buildings embellished with elaborate sculptural facades, including the Jaguar Sun/God of the Underworld [Ek Balam maybe?], enclose the East Court. The Copan River eroded some of the structures on the East court’s east side, so they are gone now.
