The Temple of the Sun is part of the Las Cruces Group, located on the west side of the Palenque's main plaza. Its architecture is typical of the classic Palenque style: a three-level pyramid on top of which stands the temple. The temple is divided into three rooms and at its interior is a shrine dedicated to the Maya Sun God, K'inich Ajaw. The top of the temple-roof is decorated by a stone crest or comb, typical of many Mayan buildings.
Within the internal shrine was found the Tablet of the Sun, which portrayed the scene of the birth and the ascension to the throne of Kan Bhalum II, accompanied by his father Pakal. Many elements of this building led archaeologists to suggest that the Temple of the Sun was somehow related to the Sun as patron of war and of the underworld.