Maya site of Copán Dec 5, 2025

In a quiet valley of western Honduras lie the ruins of Copán—a city of the ancient Maya civilisation. Its sky served as both compass and calendar, guiding celestial events and shaping temples, rituals and the rhythm of life. Around 426 CE, K"inich Yax K"uk" Mo", a warrior from the Maya heartland, founded Copán and established its royal dynasty. The city became a centre of Maya art, astronomy and power.

© diegograndi/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Santa slalom
Dec 5, 2023Castles in the Bavarian Alps
Dec 5, 2024Tufa formation on Mono Lake, California, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A chocolate lovers favorite fruit
Feb 20, 2025Red deer, Canada
Feb 21, 2026Red fox, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
Dec 7, 2025A pine forest in Alsace, France
Nov 12, 2023Diwali
Oct 27, 2023Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Stairway to where?
May 18, 2025International Museum Day
Apr 7, 2026Common clownfish in a sea anemone, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
Chilling out on an ice floe
Nov 19, 2025Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States
A window to the Pacific
May 3, 2025Happy International Astronomy Day!
An architectural wonder in Rajasthan
Park of the Monsters
Sep 9, 2023Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Dec 4, 2024Navy Day
Ever seen garlic bloom?
9,000-year-old handprints
Mar 22, 2026World Water Day
Mar 5, 2025Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
Jan 10, 2024Mylopotamos, Thessaly, Greece
Jun 8, 2026World Oceans Day
An ugly duckling no more
Mar 30, 2024Brown-throated three-toed sloth
Jan 31, 2024Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa
Dec 1, 2023Ross Sea, Antarctica
Underwater underground