Although the most of us are familiar with the ruins of ancient Mesoamerican towns like Chichen Itza, Tikal, and Copan, if you visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids, which are located a little to the north of Mexico City, you will discover some of the most remarkable remnants of civilizations that have long since vanished.
If you are someone who is interested in history or who considers themselves to be a cultural connoisseur, then the towering pyramids of Teotihuacan should be at the very top of your list of activities to explore. The ruins of Teotihuacan, which are shrouded in mystery and are said to have been constructed by the Totonac people, tell the narrative of the diversified and prosperous metropolis that once existed in this location.
What exactly are the Teotihuacan Pyramids?
Despite the fact that Teotihuacan is sometimes referred to as the “City of Mystery,” the fact that academics have only found a little amount of information about this ancient city makes it even more interesting. Teotihuacan is a term that is often associated with the ancient city as a whole; nonetheless, this name is frequently associated with the enormous pyramids that serve as the focal points of the site.
The tour guide explained that the region is thought to have been inhabited since around 600 BC; nonetheless, the enormous buildings that today dominate the landscape most likely came into being somewhere between the first and seventh centuries.
Teotihuacan, in contrast to many other towns that date back to this age, was not entirely occupied by a single main ethnic group. It is thought that the culture of the Totonac, Toltec, Maya, Mixtec, and Zapotec peoples all had some kind of effect on the development of the city.
Little is known about the reasons why Teotihuacan collapsed, since it transitioned from being one of the most vast early urban settlements in the western hemisphere to being abandoned by the eighth century. This is the case with the majority of Teotihuacan’s characteristics.
Despite the fact that my guide said that droughts and changes in climate may possibly have been responsible for the reduction, some people believe that the fall should be attributed to political discontent among the impoverished population.
When we consider Teotihuacáns in the present day, they seem to be mysterious. As a result of the absence of defensive buildings inside the city, it was often believed that they were a peaceful community of farmers. On the other hand, their temples are filled with many emblems of combat.
When the Aztecs came in this region in the year 1320, they were the ones who eventually gave Teotihuacán its name. The name really means “City of Gods,” and the people who lived there thought that after the end of the previous world, the gods had assembled here to create the sun and the moon. From their headquarters at Tenochtitlan, which is located in what is now Mexico City, they made use of it as a site for pilgrimages.
How to Get to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is situated 48 kilometers to the north of the capital of Mexico. It is possible to visit Teotihuacan from the central business district in less than an hour and a half, making it an ideal destination for a day trip. In order to go to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, there are three primary modes of transportation:
By use of a tourist bus
Due to the fact that had a limited understanding of Teotihuacan, I was eager to go with a native guide throughout my trip there. As a consequence of this, decided to go with a guided tour that departs from Mexico City; also informed of various other ways to get to the location in case you would rather explore the ruins at your own speed.
Due to the fact that my vacation included a shuttle that went in both directions, was able to avoid the hassle of navigating public transportation by arranging a guided tour. On the other hand, if you are short on time, this may not be the best choice for you since the minivan that we traveled in made a number of stops along the route to pick up passengers. There were also some more stops that were included in the trip, which added more time to the entire experience.
In a bus
The buses that go to Teotihuacán depart from Mexico City about every half hour from two different locations: Terminal del Norte (which is located outside the Autobuses del Norte Metro station, Line 5) and the Potrero Metro station (which is located outside Line 3). Step out of Terminal Autobuses del Norte and go in the direction of Gate 8. Nearly at the very end of the hall is where you will find the ticket booth. Be certain that the bus will take you to the entrance of the Teotihuacán ruinas, and not only to the adjacent hamlet of San Juan Teotihuacán. When you leave the station in Potrero, search for white buses that are heading in the direction of Los Piramides.
As an automobile
In Mexico City, if you use the toll highway, it takes around forty-five minutes to get to the city center. However, if you take the old free route, it takes much more time. At the location, there is a nominal charge for parking purposes. It is also feasible to take a cab to Teotihuacan, although the cost of doing so is quite high.
Attending a Mezcal Tasting or Experience
A trip to a mezcal distillery that is owned and operated by locals was the first of these extra visits. It was located just next to the entrance of Teotihuacan. Despite the fact that we were trying a number of different mezcal variations before 9.30 in the morning, found the whole thing to be surprisingly entertaining. This is a particularly exciting portion of the trip for those who are very passionate about this agave-based alcoholic beverage.
When you choose to go on a trip that includes this experience as part of the schedule, you will get an understanding of how the indigenous people of the region have been using the core of agave plants to produce one of the most well-liked alcoholic drinks in the nation. In spite of the fact that it is not directly connected to Teotihuacan culture, it is quite interesting to learn about the role that the production of mezcal and the cultivation of agave play in the modern-day industries of the area.
Despite the fact that it was certainly a little too early for me to completely enjoy the more pungent portions of mezcal with a high alcohol level, I was pleasantly pleased by the sweet and somewhat sour pulque, which is a beverage that is formed from the fermented sap of the agave plant.
The recreations of tools, jewelry, and crafts from the period when Teotihuacan was at its peak of prosperity were definitely something that I did not expect from this particular section of the trip. In addition to intricate necklaces, pyrite mirrors, and ceramics, some of these items contained razor-sharp blades crafted from obsidian, which is a kind of volcanic glass that is very durable.
One of the Sun’s Pyramids
its way rapidly within the archeological site, we were greeted by the most breathtaking view of the Pyramid of the Sun, which stands at a height of sixty-five meters.
When it comes to the sheer magnitude of this edifice, photographs do not do it credit, and there are very few locations that are comparable to this one. There is a belief that this pyramid, which is constructed out of stone and rises over a number of stepped levels, was constructed to honor a deity. It is possible that the pinnacle of the pyramid previously served as a temple or altar.
Despite the fact that our guide tried his best to discuss the discoveries that archaeologists have made since the 1970s, it is unfortunate that tourists are not permitted to enter the enigmatic inside of the pyramid.
There are a number of tunnels that go to different chambers that are located under the foundation of the constructions. In this location, a wide variety of artifacts, including animal bones, obsidian tools, and the well-known greenstone masks that are strongly connected with the Teotihuacan culture, have been found.
Initially, was under the impression that the name of the pyramid, which was Pyramid of the Sun, had some sort of calendrical significance. However, I later discovered that the Aztecs selected this name for the pyramid centuries after the city had been abandoned. There is a possibility that it was constructed as a gesture of reverence for the sun; nevertheless, the actual motivation for the creation is not certain.
Teotihuacan State Museum
The Museo Teotihuacán, which can be found to the southeast of the Pyramid of the Sun, serves as an excellent introduction to the sights that you will see as you explore the city of Teotihuacán. Not only will you be able to learn about the monuments, but you will also be able to locate items that were utilized by these ancient people. These objects came from shells, bones, and obsidian.
More than 600 antiquities, including as religious and artistic objects, are on show at the museum, in addition to handcrafted items that are essential to everyday living. You will be able to get further knowledge on the Teotihuacan economy, culture, technology, religion, and politics by exploring the museum’s eight rooms.
Places of the Dead Avenue
It is possible that the major route that runs through ancient Teotihuacán was known as the Avenue of the Dead; nevertheless, this does not imply that deceased individuals are buried on the highway or along the sides of the road. It was given this name by the Aztecs because the mounds that were located along the sides of the route seemed to be graves. It has been determined by archaeologists that these platforms were used for ceremonial purposes and that temples were built on top of them.
When it was in its heyday, the avenue was several kilometers long; now, just a kilometer or two of it has been discovered and repaired. The width of this road, which measures forty meters (131 feet), would be deemed broad according to our standards today. Despite the fact that Teotihuacán is in ruins at the moment, taking a stroll down the Avenue of the Dead offers a look into the city’s brilliant history. As you make your way around the area, you will come across enormous apartment complexes and temples, some of which originated before the birth of Christ.
The Spanish conquistadors gave the expansive ceremonial plaza that is located at the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead the name La Ciudadela, which literally translates to “the Citadel.” Because it seemed to be a fortress from a distance, it was most likely the residence of the city’s most powerful rulers.
As you go down the Avenue of the Dead in the direction of the north, you will come across excellent instances of the apartment complexes and temples. The massive Pyramid of the Sun may be found on the right side of the structure, while the Pyramid of the Moon can be seen at the northern end.
Tetitla Palace and Atetelco Palace are both locations.
The palaces of Tetitla and Atetelco, which are situated to the west of the Avenue of the Dead, include an abundance of paintings that were created by Teotihuacán. The palaces, which were discovered in the 1940s, are home to some of the most well-preserved murals that can be seen throughout the ruins. with the Palace of Tetitla alone, there are about 120 walls that are covered with paintings. The Great Goddess, also known as Spider Woman, is seen in one of the most well-known paintings wearing a headpiece that is adorned with an owl and a snake running around its perimeter.
Different paintings show animals such as jaguars, serpents, and eagles. Murals that portray jaguars and coyotes may be seen at the Palace of Atetelco, which is situated around 100 meters (1,200 ft) away. There are some of these creatures that have been painted red and arranged in a processional fashion, which has been associated with military demands.
The Quetzal Butterfly Palace is well named.
As was the case with the Pyramid of the Sun, the Palace of the Quetzal Butterfly was not the original name of the monument; rather, it was a name that was given to it long later.
There is a range of opinions on whether or not this palace was truly inhabited by kings; yet, there are archaeologists who think that priests may have periodically resided there.
Birds and butterflies are employed as decorations throughout the palace, which is centered around a courtyard that has been exquisitely created. It was because of these embellishments that the name was given to it. Butterfly is the meaning of the word “Quetzal.”
Considering that the position of this palace, which was in a courtyard that was somewhat sheltered, meant that it was less susceptible to severe weather conditions than the structures that were nearby, which allowed for a significant amount of the color to be preserved.
had already been captivated by the meticulous attention to detail that was shown on each pillar, but she was even more awestruck by the paintings that were located nearby and had also endured the test of time. Icons depicting gods, goddesses, and other characters that were revered by the Teotihuacan people make up the majority of the artwork. Owls, who were believed by the Teotihuacan people to be messengers of the underworld, are also included in this category.
This is the Moon’s Pyramid.
In a short amount of time, we arrived at the Pyramid of the Moon as we made our way down the expansive walkway, which was appropriately referred to as The Avenue of the Dead owing to the hundreds of tombs that flanked each side of the path.
Its height of 43 meters makes it notably less than the Pyramid of the Sun, which is located nearby; yet, I considered it to be just as impressive and enormous as the Pyramid of the Sun. Although it is mostly identical with the architecture of its neighbor, the Pyramid of the Moon has a smaller platform that resembles a temple placed toward the foot of the structure. This platform is situated inside a large plaza-like space.
Some research claim that the Teotihuacan people constructed this monument as a dedication to the goddess of water, fertility, and creation. It is likely that the construction was constructed to mirror the form of the Cerro Gordo mountain, which serves as the background for the pyramid.
Furthermore, researchers have come to the conclusion that the pyramid was used for rituals involving sacrifices and funerals as a result of the artifacts that were discovered inside the subterranean tunnels that are located under the pyramid.
We were not allowed to go inside the pyramid or climb the more than 200 stairs, so we had to rely on our imaginations and the explanations that were offered by the guide. This was similar to the situation with the Pyramid of the Sun.
Climbing to the summit of the pyramid can help you burn off energy if you are in need of getting your energy levels up. Teotihuacán, a magnificent city, may also be seen from this vantage point, which is a good chance.
Temple of Tepantitla Palace
There is a dwelling for priests known as the Palace of Tepantitla, which may be located to the northeast of the Temple of the Sun. The most well-known painting of Teotihuacán, known as the Paradise of Tlaloc, can be seen inside its walls. The villagers are shown in this mural as they go about their everyday lives, playing and gathering flowers, while water is depicted as flowing down a mountain, which represents their irrigation system.
If you linger over the mural for a longer period of time, you will see that individuals are falling down the mountain as their blood transforms into water. Each individual is a different hue, which may be seen as a representation of the many social classes. In addition, there are murals that are made up of hundreds of minute designs that are considered to depict how the Teotihuacans saw the world to function.
The Jaguar Palace is a palace.
Awe-inspiringness emanates from the Palace of the Jaguars, which has crimson paintings that have become faded and are adorned with white patterns and sculptures. Both jaguars and components of marine life, such as shells, particularly conches, are shown in the illustrations. Even in the present day, this amazing work of art continues to astonish.
One of the most important paintings depicts a jaguar blowing a feathered conch that drips with blood with its trumpet. It is thought that this is a sign of war due to the fact that conch shells were blasted before to soldiers going into combat. A serpent with feathers protruding from its body is perched on top of the head of the jaguar.
Teotihuacán is a city that is replete with religious structures, and the Palace of the Jaguars is regarded to be one of the most holy locations in the city. When compared to the images displayed at any of the other locations, the murals have a more powerful impact. Later on, it was discovered that these images were represented in various Mesoamerican languages.
Considering its proximity to the Temple of the Moon, archaeologists assume that priests and warriors planned actions here that would later take place at the temple. These events would take place at a later time.
