Exploring the Mexico City area, Teotihuacan, Part 2

Next stop on your tour is the Avenue of the Dead. It is the main axis of the city. It stretches to the north from the Citadel all the way to the Temple of the Moon. You will see the “Edificios Superpuestos”, where excavations have unearthed living quarters below the present level, which were filled in with rubble in order to build the second stage. On either side of the Avenue of the Dead are residential palace compounds (probably occupied by noble families). Each is a square, 200 feet on a side, and is surrounded by a wall. The pedestrian would have seen only the high walls facing the streets, pierced by inconspicuous doors.
Then we come to the famous Pyramid of the Sun. It is one of ancient Mexico’s largest structures, with nearly 200 feet of heights and 700 feet wide. It was constructed in two phases. The first construction stage, around 100 A.D., brought the pyramid to nearly the size it is today. The second round of construction resulted in its completed size, making it the third largest pyramid in the world behind the Great Pyramid of Cholula and The Great Pyramid. The Pyramid was built on top of a cave which was discovered in 1970. This cave is over 100 yards long and ends in the shape of a four-leaf clover, with four chambers. According to many beliefs, in ancient Mexico, the caves actually were passageways to the underworld. If you can plan your visit to Teotihuacan, try to come there on the days of the fall and spring equinox. Then Teotihuacan is crowded with people who are dressed in white and climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. On the top they are receiving the special energy of the site. If 250 stairs is not much for you, you should definitely climb up and at least enjoy in the magnificent view.
When you get enough of the Pyramid of the Sun, move on to the Quetzalpapalotl Palace. It is situated on the way to the Pyramid of the Moon. It is assumed that this was the residence of Teotihuacan’s ruler. Next you will see the Patio of the Quetzalpapalotl Palace. The name Quetzalpapalotl is Nahuatl for the “Quetzal butterfly” and it was applied to this building because of carved images like this one which appear on the columns surrounding the courtyard shown above. Some of these images are thought to represent the quetzal bird, which was revered by pre-European peoples living throughout Central America. Some of the images show a creature which is a combination of the quetzal and a butterfly, hence the name. The pillars that surround it are made of stone blocks carved with images of birds. Some of them are shown in profile and others are facing forward. Going on you will come to the Patio of the Jaguars. It is placed behind the Quetzalpapalotl Palace and it is a rectangular patio surrounded by rooms with jaguar murals. The jaguars that are pictured here are holding conch shells in their mouths. The figure in the five-pointed stars above the jaguars is the rain and maize god Tlaloc, probably the most powerful god in ancient central America. From this palace you can enter the subterranean Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells which has murals of shells, perhaps outfitted as musical instruments, together with birds spouting water, painted in green, blue, yellow and red.

Visiting Teotihuacan, Mexico, part 3 Continuing your tour of Teotihuacan, you will have the opportunity...
Sights to see in Mexico, Teotihuacan, Part 1 If you have time for a day trip and if...
Teotihuacan – Temple of Quetzalcoatl If you have time for a day trip and if...
Visiting a city in Mexico – Puebla City The City of Puebla is the 4th largest city in...
Travel to Oaxaca, city in Mexico Oaxaca is the capital and largest city of the Mexican...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Posted by admin in Mexican Culture, Mexico City, Other Places in Mexico

City In Mexico

Organize your paradise vacation in Mexico!

Exploring the Mexico City area, Teotihuacan, Part 2