Mexico City literally sits on top of a vast pile of pyramids, and it is interesting to perceive the layers of history as you wander round the various archaeological sites, from the Templo Mayor to Tlatelolco, where you can appreciate the superimposed cultures and architecture from Ancient Aztec to Colonial Spain to Contemporary concrete....
But sometimes it is nice to appreciate the sites in their uncluttered state, and for that you need to leave the city, but you do not have to travel far. Tula was an important city from AD 900-1150, and was most likely the capital of the ancient Toltec civilisation. The site is most renowned for these striking standing stone sentinels which makes it very different from other sites..
Once a place of treasures and splendour in jade and gold, it is still a fascinating site to visit and the setting is beautifully tranquil...
Teotihuacan is much more well known compared to Tula, and is a very popular day trip from DF. It is an extensive site dominated by two huge pyramids, Piramide del Sol and Piramide de la Luna. Dating from AD 200 - 650, it was once Mexico's largest ancient city and the capital of Mexico's pre-Hispanic empire.
Many years after its decline, it still remained a pilgrimage site for Aztec royalty, and more recently for New Age followers especially at the Spring Equinox, and of course still today for very happy tourists...
Located North of Mexico City, both sites can be easily reached by bus from Terminal Norte in just over an hour, but Teotihuacan can also be accessed on an excellent value Turibus all inclusive day trip for $450 pesos (35USD) with lunch and an additional visit to the Basilica Guadelupe.
10 comments:
What striking monuments! I've seen quite a few Aztec pyramids in Mexico and in Belize and I'm always struck by the precision of the buildings.
Twenty kilometres south of Mexico City is Xochimilco, if you have not been there well worth the visit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochicalco
Wrong one I meant this one.
Fly Girl...there are just so many striking monuments here...
Robert... I have visited Xochimilco many times but haven't made it to Xochicalco yet...will let you know when I do..
This is one of those striking elements of Aztec culture that never ceases to amaze me, catherine. Their architecture was so elaborate, that it defied science. Many thanks for another fantastic offering of Aztec culture.
Greetings from London.
Cuban...glad you are enjoying the Cuban offerings...greetings from DF....
Catherine,
it must be wonderful to stand at those ruins and put your hands on the stones and consider the men and woman who have done the same in ancient times...
Happy Days
Greetings from Norway!
Delwyn - yes you can really appreciate the layers of history here..
Shan - thanks for the visit from Norway..please stop by again!!
A most ineteresting post and some fine pictures - thank you very much for sharing it! I look forward to more of your posts in future. Perhaps you would like to also share your experiences of Mexico with the community at trivago?
Regards from Cape Town,
Pierre
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