A must-see in Mexico: the pyramids of Teotihuacan

I truly fell in love with Mexico. Beyond the vibrant atmosphere of Mexico City and the magnificent landscapes of Nevado de Toluca and Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park, I also loved learning more about the country’s rich history. And if there’s one place where you can truly grasp the magnitude of this history, it’s in Teotihuacan.

Located northeast of Mexico City, Teotihuacan is an ancient pre-Columbian city. It’s one of the country’s most important archaeological sites and is best known for its immense pyramids, among the largest in the world.

To visit Teotihuacan, I booked a guided tour online, departing from the capital. From the city centre, the journey took us less than an hour, and in the semi-arid landscape of the Valley of Mexico, I began to glimpse, in the distance, the imposing shape of the ancient pyramids.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the grandeur of Teotihuacan. This city was founded several centuries before the Aztec Empire. At its peak, between the 1st and 7th centuries, it is estimated that more than 125,000 people may have lived there, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time.

Historians disagree on the reasons that led to Teotihuacan’s decline. Some say the city was attacked by invaders, others that it was slowly abandoned following internal struggles and a long drought in the region. But Teotihuacan lost its prestige and the city slowly fell into oblivion, until it was rediscovered by the Aztecs in the 13th century.

It was the Aztecs who gave it the name Teotihuacan, which means “place where gods were born.”

In addition to the famous pyramids, the archaeological site includes many historic buildings. We began our visit by visiting the ruins of the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl. This complex is said to have served as a residence for Teotihuacan’s high priests and important dignitaries. Some sections have been restored, and I found it quite impressive to be able to see some of the architectural details, reliefs, and murals up close.

But I hadn’t finished being impressed. Because upon leaving the palace, we found ourselves facing the Plaza de la Luna, at the end of which stands the Pyramid of the Moon. Standing 43 metres tall, the pyramid was likely used as a stage for sacrifices and ceremonies in honour of the gods.

The Pyramid of the Moon is located at the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead, a wide central avenue that connects the site’s main buildings. Walking along this avenue, we came across the Pyramid of the Sun, the largest pyramid on the site and also the third largest pyramid in the world, after those of Giza and Cholula.

At 75 metres tall, archaeologists believe this pyramid was also used to worship a specific deity, but little evidence survives to support this theory.

It was previously possible to climb to the top of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, but since 2020, it is forbidden. To better preserve them, visitors must now simply admire the pyramids from the ground. But it is possible to climb the narrow stairs of the Adosada platform to get a closer look at the site’s third pyramid: that of Quetzalcoatl.

Much smaller than the other two, the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (also called Temple of the Feathered Serpent) is located at the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead. Its name comes from the heads of the feathered serpent (called Quetzalcoatl by the Aztecs) that decorate the pyramid’s facades. Archaeologists aren’t entirely sure of the significance of these carvings, but up close, they were still impressive.

I feel like this text doesn’t quite do justice to the grandeur of Teotihuacan. The site is immense and has so many historic buildings that you could spend a whole day there. A few days later, I had the pleasure of delving back into the history and splendor of Teotihuacan by visiting the beautiful National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Mexico definitely has a rich history and culture, and I feel like I’ve only touched on a small part of it.