Teotihuacan
The ancient ruins of Teotihuacan lie roughly 40 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, a place where history whispers through the stones. At its heart stretches a grand north-south axis known as the “Avenue of the Dead” (Nahuatl: Micaohtli), which is more akin to a vast rectangular plaza than a simple avenue.
This majestic road earned its haunting name when the Spaniards arrived and saw clusters of pyramids. Mistaking them for tombs due to their familiarity with Egypt’s pyramids, the Spaniards assumed all pyramids served as burial sites. Another theory suggests that the Aztecs who later inhabited the area called it the “Avenue of the Dead.
” However, these pyramids were not tombs but sacred structures used for worship, divination, and astronomical measurements.
At the northern end of this avenue stands the Pyramid of the Moon (Spanish: Pirámide de la Luna), while on the eastern side midway along the avenue rises the tallest structure in ancient Mexico—the Pyramid of the Sun. These two colossal pyramids share a similar stepped design, each adorned with steep pathways leading up their faces.
The Pyramid of the Moon spans 170 meters in length and 150 meters in width, whereas the Pyramid of the Sun boasts an almost square base measuring 225 by 222 meters, towering to a height of 64 meters. In antiquity, both pyramids likely crowned temple-like structures at their peaks, making them even taller than they appear today.
Time, however, has erased these upper sanctuaries, leaving behind only gently domed summits. Despite being shorter, the Pyramid of the Moon appears nearly equal in height to the Pyramid of the Sun because it rests upon higher ground.
Beyond these iconic pyramids, the site features the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, facing the Pyramid of the Sun, along with numerous smaller pyramids and semi-underground structures scattered along the avenue. The entire sprawling complex covers approximately 83 square kilometers. Remarkably, Teotihuacan escaped the destruction wrought by the Spanish conquest, which obliterated many other indigenous buildings to pave the way for colonial culture.
Thanks to its desolation long before the Spanish arrival, Teotihuacan remains one of Mexico’s most awe-inspiring archaeological treasures and a beloved tourist destination today. (All information sourced from Wikipedia.)
Now it’s my turn to speak!
🌟 **Remember to protect yourself from the sun—it can get intense!**
🌟 **Watch your step while climbing the pyramids to avoid sprains or worse—those stairs are steep!** [doge]
🌟 **Be prepared for vendors at the entrance; don’t hesitate to haggle if you’re interested in buying souvenirs!** [doge]
That’s about it! Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
🌟 **Bonus:** P11 showcases the breathtaking image of the Virgin of Guadalupe housed within the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. [Thumbs up]
