Teotihucán – The Place Where the Gods Were Created.

The Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan was one of the largest urban centers in the ancient world, which had a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants at its peak. Located in a valley rich in natural resources, Teotihuacan was the seat of power of one of the most influential Mesoamerican societies in the political, economic, commercial, religious and cultural spheres, whose features permanently marked the peoples of the Mexican highlands, passing time and reaching us with the same strength and greatness with which its builders planned it. -INHA, National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Pyramid of the Sun

Representation of an Aztec celebration at a restaurant set inside a cave.

• 

  Pyramid of the Sun

Pyramid of the Sun, on the Road of the Dead

The area open to public visits has an area of 264 hectares, where the main complexes of monumental buildings are concentrated, such as The Citadel and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Calzada de los Muertos and the residential complexes that flank it, the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl and 4 departmental groups with important examples of mural painting, such as Tetitla, Atetelco, Tepantitla and La Ventilla, as well as 2 other housing complexes called Yayahuala and Zacuala.

Pyramid of the Sun

At least once I year I go Teotihuacan, well, not true since this year has been hectic. Either way, it takes me about one hour and a half to get there since these pyramids are not within the city (another archeological site, or several of them are.) I believe you may find this interesting, nevertheless is not that much for me since I have been going there since I was a kid.

There are many tourist from practically everywhere due to the importance the Aztec and Mexica culture have had in the world. (Noted the word Mexica?). By the way, since we are in this conversation. According to one legend, the war deity and patron of the Mexica Huitzilopochtli possessed Mexitl or Mexi as a secret name. Mexico would then mean “Place of Mexi” or “Land of the War God.” Another hypothesis (the most referenced to) is that Mēxihco derives from a portmanteau of the Nahuatl words for “moon” (mētztli) and navel (xīctli): The Navel of the Moon.

And, this is the place I take my foreign friends to when they come visit me, so now you know where you will be landing!

Visitors at the Pyramid of the Sun

Me, halfway top of the Pyramid of the Sun. Behind me, the Pyramid of the Moon

Pyramid of the Sun seen from the Pyramid of the Moon. The road is named Calzada de los Muertos or Road of the Dead

For the peoples that preceded Teotihuacan, this site had a predominantly sacred meaning. Various historical sources indicate that the Aztecs and their rulers came to these ruins to pray and celebrate rites. Later Teotihuacan was a point of reference since the beginning of the Spanish occupation; and at present it is recognized as one of the most outstanding testimonies of ancient urbanism and state development, which is why it is an object of interest to researchers from Mexico and the world, who through different scientific disciplines continue to explore its complexity.

The archaeological remains of the ancient city are visited each year by thousands of people, making the site one of the largest tourist attractions in the country.

The recognition of the site as cultural heritage is universal, since since 1987 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Patio de los Pilares.
Quetzalpapálotl Palace.

Services available in the Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacan

The archaeological zone has two specialized museums: the Teotihuacan Culture Museum and the “Beatriz de la Fuente” Museum of Teotihuacan Murals, as well as a temporary exhibition room located in the building known as “ex-museum”. Other areas in which archaeological pieces are exhibited are the Sculptural Garden and the garden south of the San Juan River; It also has a botanical garden of traditional flora, an open-air theater and the headquarters building of the Teotihuacan Studies Center.

Pyramid of the Moon.

Not me, but a tourist like me.

Pyramid of the Sun

People climbing the pyramid of the Sun

Due to the size of the Archaeological Zone, it is very difficult to enjoy all its cultural offerings in a single visit, however there are routes designed to make the most of the routes, depending on the particular interests of each visitor.

Note: Yes, I took these photos.

(Did I mention I don’t like the new WP editor and I didn’t find a way to use the old one?)