“The city where
the Gods are born”
Location: 30 miles northeast of
Mexico City, State of Mexico
Closest major airport: Benito Juarez
Intl. aka Mexico City Intl. (MEX)
Nearest town/city: Mexico City
Important cities/sites nearby:
Teotihuacan site recently discovered in
Chapultepec Park, Mexico City
The archaeological zone of Teotihuacán was
inhabited for nearly 2000 years and existed
alongside the Mesoamerican cities of Cholula
and Monte Albán. It is one of the country’s
major tourist attractions and was formerly
one of the largest and most complex
metropolises in prehispanic Mexico,
originating during the first century A.D.,
reaching its peak between the 3rd and 4th
centuries, and subsequently declining until
it was eventually abandoned.
According to the Nahua Indians, Teotihuacan
was the original site of birth of the fifth
sun, the beginning of a new era for the
Aztecs. However, because the city had
already been abandoned when the Aztecs
arrived in the region, all signs of previous
existence were attributed to the gods.
Legend also has it that when the gods
gathered to distribute their functions, the
god that dared to jump into the mystic fire
would be the sun. After the first god jumped
into the fire, a second, jealous god also
threw himself into the flames. As a
punishment, the other gods threw a rabbit at
his side to hide his light, which created
the moon and began the constant struggle
between day and night.
The site’s main structures include the
Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon
and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The
archaeological site is located 30 miles
northeast of Mexico City.
Aside from the archaeological city, the
village of Teotihuacan is small and quaint
with semi-paved roads. In addition to the
archaeological monuments in Acolman, near
Teotihuacán, other buildings worth visiting
include the 16th century Augustinian convent
and the Tepexpan Museum of Pre-History.
Visitors interested in camping can head to
the Teotihuacán Trailer Park located in San
Juan Teotihuacán, three km away from the
Pyramid of the Sun.
Shopping is available within the
archaeological zone. Shops offer a variety
of souvenirs and reproductions of
archaeological artifacts found in the area.
The city is also known for its temazcal – a
steam bath with prehispanic roots – that
today serves as a healing spa. The ritual is
performed by renowned local healers and has
attracted several New Age groups to the area
that offer workshops, exercises and
conferences.
Teotihuacan is a city of ancient gods,
deep-rooted traditions and proven Aztec
ancestry. It is an ideal destination for
travelers interested in the Aztec culture
and its impact on today’s Mexican culture
and society. |
