The holy city of Teotihuacán (‘the place where the gods were created’) is situated some 40+ km northeast of Mexico City. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D., it is characterized by the vast size of its monuments, the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. I had traveled there with my wife in 2015 and journeyed there once again last month – this time with my daughter Miranda.
Human occupation of the valley of Teotihuacán began before the Christian era, reaching its zenith between 100 B.C. and A.D. 650. It covered over 8 square miles (21 square kilometers) and supported a population of over a hundred thousand. It was one of the first great cities of the Western Hemisphere. And its origins are still a mystery. One theory holds that immigrants flooded into the Teotihuacán valley following the eruption of a volcano, and those immigrants built or augmented the city. Evidence shows that Teotihuacán hosted a patchwork of cultures including the Maya, Mixtec, and Zapotec.
Scholars had thought that invaders attacked the city in the 7th or 8th century, sacking and burning it. More recent evidence, however, seems to indicate that the burning was limited to the structures and dwellings associated primarily with the ruling class. Some think this suggests that the burning was from an internal uprising. The decline of Teotihuacán has also been correlated to lengthy droughts related to the climate changes of 535–536 while another theory suggests that the collapse of Teotihuacán was caused by its agriculture being devastated by the 535 CE eruption of the Ilopango volcano in El Salvador.
Teotihuacán was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 and is a must-see attraction for anyone who finds themselves in or around Mexico City. You can get to Teotihuacán via bus from Mexico City but we took a car service our hotel recommended; five hours (to include ride there and back to hotel) for $3000 pesos (about $160 US dollars). Enjoy the photographs…
Pyramid of the Sun
The Pyramid of the Sun is one of the largest structures of its type in the Western Hemisphere. The pyramid rises 216 feet (66 metres) above ground level, and it measures approximately 720 by 760 feet (220 by 230 metres) at its base. It was constructed of about 1,000,000 cubic yards (765,000 cubic metres) of material, including hewed tezontle, a red coarse volcanic rock of the region.
It’s a steep and somewhat treacherous climb of about 250 steps to get to the top of the pyramid so leave the flip-flops at home and put on some good shoes for the walk up…
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At each level, visitors are rewarded with stunning panoramic views, including the Pyramid of the Moon in the distance (more on that in a minute)
We finally made it to the top of the pyramid and actually found someone to take a picture of us. To be able to stand at the top of the pyramid with my daughter, where my wife and I stood four years ago, was a special moment for me personally. One I’ll not ever forget…
Then it was time to begin the equally challenging climb back down…
As we were going down, others were going up…
Once at the bottom, a look back…
Pyramid of the Moon
After descending the Pyramid of the Sun, we walked over to the Pyramid of the Moon via the Avenue of the Dead (“Calle de los Muertos”), a 130-foot wide road that stretches 1.5 miles long (though it’s about two-thirds that distance to walk from one pyramid to the other). The Avenue of the Dead was once erroneously thought to have been lined with tombs, but the low buildings that flank it probably were palace residences.
We were now face-to-face with the Pyramid of the Moon, the second largest structure in the city, rising to 140 feet (43 metres) and measuring 426 by 511 feet (130 by 156 metres) at its base.
Up we go…
Views from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon…
Unlike the taller Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon has only one upper terrace to take in the views after scaling the steep steps (there is a barrier preventing anyone from going higher). So, from the top terrace, my daughter and I were watching this woman trying to make it up the steps to the top of the pyramid – with her cane(!). I gave her no chance of making it but she just kept coming, ultimately joining us at the top. It was pure determination. I had to take a picture of her…
During our trip here in 2015, my wife and I skipped the walk over to the Pyramid of the Moon. It was very hot that day and she (we) was pooped after our trek up the Pyramid of the Sun. My daughter and I found someone to take a photo of us when we reached the top of the Pyramid of the Moon (you can see the Pyramid of the Sun behind us in the distance). So although she is no longer with us, a little bit of her was – in the urn pendant I wore around my neck. And surely she was looking down on us, smiling…
Once we descended the Pyramid of the Moon, my daughter and I decided to climb a few structures that line the Avenue of the Dead and take a selfie (and actually found another photographer to snap a photo of us 🙂
A look back to the Pyramid of the Moon from the Avenue of the Dead…
In the distance, the Pyramid of the Sun…
And a wave goodbye to the Pyramid of the Sun before heading back to our hotel in Mexico City. It was the kind of day a father never forgets spending with his daughter.
More Images from Mexico City
Photographs taken with my Pentax K-1 using the Pentax 24-70mm f/2.8 and the Irix 15mm f/2.4. Supported by the Spider Camera Holster SpiderPro Hand Strap (a must for the weighty K-1) and carried around in the compact Vanguard BIIN 37 Sling Bag camera bag.
