Teotihuacan (Mexico): the greatest legacy of pre-Columbian America

Luna Pyramid in Teotihuacan

Mexico has an extensive, rich and millenary history that has as one of its greatest patrimonial exponents the sacred city of Teotihuacan. Located in an immense valley near Mexico City, the Teotihuacan area was for ancient Nahuatl mythology the place where the sun and the moon were created. This city of the gods, as its name indicates, began to be built 500 years before our era, and it still stands as a monumental emblem of the Mexican people and their glorious past, and truly a site of incalculable value for humanity. .

Area Teotihuacan is located northeast of the valley of Mexico, just 45 kilometers away from the center of Mexico City, which makes it a must when visiting the Mexican capital. At the arrival of the spring equinox, numerous esoteric groups come to this place to recharge energy, since there is a popular belief that the pyramids are energy channels.

The structure of Teotihuacan

Causeway of the Dead in Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan

If there is something that draws a lot of attention when arriving in this sacred city, it is the great planning that can be seen in its streets, similar to current urban planning. Two large avenues that intersect and that are the main axis from the city, one of them the most important, called Calzada de los Muertos. These were the reference to go to the rest of the streets and alleys, and where the main ritual and administrative buildings were located.

A Little History

It is a city whose splendor took place over the XNUMXrd and XNUMXth centuries after Christ. In this region of Mesoamerica, the resources of the great valley were used, thus creating a great civilization that reached 100.000 inhabitants in about 21 square kilometers. That is why it is one of the largest civilizations known from pre-Columbian America, and a larger complex full of vestiges than Chichen Itzá.

Its decline came in the XNUMXth century after Christ due to political instability, internal rebellions and climatic changes that ended prosperity, as has happened with all great civilizations throughout history. This gave rise to the Mesoamerican Epiclassic period. Although there is little information about how the city came to be formed and why exactly it declined, the truth is that it is one of the best preserved cities of this stage.

Teotihacan today

Cactus in Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is the Mexican archaeological zone that receives the largest number of visitors from all over the country, surpassing important pre-Columbian areas such as Chichén Itzá (Yucatán) and Monte Albán (Oaxaca). The complex that is open to the public covers an area of ​​2.5 square km and corresponds to the Central Area of ​​Monuments included in the protected area. The Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan was declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1987, due to its enormous cultural wealth and its colossal architecture.

Useful information about Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan architectural dragon

The easiest way to see the Teotihuacan complex is to take one of the monumental routes that are already established, because they allow us to see what is most important. The archaeological zone opens from Monday to Sunday, from 8.00:5.00 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm. If we do not want to complicate our lives, we can take one of the buses that make the route directly to Teotihuacan from the Central Bus Terminal of the North in Mexico City, which takes about 45 minutes.

At the park entrance you can buy tickets to see the complex. This ticket gives us access to places such as the Site Museum, the archaeological zone with the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, Tetitla or the Quetzalpapálotl Temple. In the area there are also numerous street vendors with souvenirs and a souvenir shop. In addition, there are cafes and restaurants, so we will not lack spaces to make a stop.

What to see in Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan pyramid

If there is something we have to do once we go to this city, it is to walk through the Calzada de los Muertos area, admiring the constructions and archaeological remains, until we reach Pyramid of the Sun, the highest of all, with 63,5 meters high. It is thought that there could be a temple at the end of the structure, making it even taller than it is today. Best of all, you can climb it, but you have to climb no less than 365 steps, one for each day of the year. The views of the rest of the complex from this great pyramid are spectacular, and the photos that you can take too. In 1971 a cave was discovered under the pyramid, so it is thought that this place already had spiritual importance before hosting this great construction.

Teotihuacan ateleco palace

The Pyramid of the Moon is the other great pyramid that is preserved. It is in the extreme north, at the end of the Calzada de los Muertos and is 42 meters high. Since we are in it we will take the opportunity to see the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl, in the southwest, believed to have been the residence of an important priest. In it we can enjoy the beautiful columns of the patio as well as the beautiful murals that are preserved on the walls. Nor should we forget a visit to the museum, where we find many vestiges of daily life in Teotihacan, small statues and belongings.

Teotihuacan Murals

The murals found in buildings of Teotihuacan deserve a special mention, and it is that they have been very studied in terms of their techniques. They are very peculiar, and will be a discovery for art fans because of how well they are preserved, showing the vivid colors. The most used color was red, and it was made with minerals that were pulverized to get the pigments. There are many others in which birds, cats or plants are represented on polished walls, such as in the Patio de los Jaguares or in the Palacio de los Caracoles.


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  1.   Charly vazquez said

    Majestic place that I was able to enjoy on my visit to Mexico, I had to go to an exhibition in those lands and at the hotel in Toluca, state of Mexico, they recommended that if I had not been Mexican or foreign I had to go, and I took advantage of the proximity Visiting a place that everyone has to go to before they die is not to be missed.