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Mexico City 5 - Teotihuacán

Mexico City 5 - Teotihuacán

10
votes

This is the 5th set of photos from my 3 months in Mexico last spring. This features a day trip to Teotihuacán, the anciend sacred site about 30 miles NE of the city.

Teotihuacán means "place where gods were born." The Aztecs believed that the gods created the universe here. Constructed around 300 AD, huge pyramids are carefully laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. Its most monumental structures are the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Sun (the third-largest pyramid in the world) and the Pyramid of the Moon.

By 500 AD, Teotihuacán's pyramids and palaces covered 12 square miles and the city was larger in size and population than Rome. Teotihuacán's influence was felt as far south as the Yucatán and Guatemala. By 700 AD, the site was abandoned, possibly due to overpopulation and depletion of natural resources in the arid countryside.

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On the way, we stopped at a local crafts store. This shot was taken just outside.

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Important local products could be sampled inside smile

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The Temples of the Sun and Moon are imposing even at a distance.

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Our little group include a Mexican father with his two kids, a Philippine gentleman, and Karen and I. The Mexican family was great, they were happy to chat with me all day.

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Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, and other deities at the pyramid of the Feathered Serpent

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Pyramid of the Moon (as seen from the Pyramid of the Sun)

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The main thoroughfare through Teotihuacán - la Calzada de los Muertos, runs two miles roughly north to south.

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Beautiful polychrome images remain in protected areas inside.

2571 views
updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by Jeremias
Gracias. - JazSpanish, Feb 11, 2012

8 Answers

5
votes

Thanks Jeremias cool photos. I just remember the climb up the sun pyramid being very steep and not really being able to capture the size/ height of it in my photos. Quite a large city they had going on there.

updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by teasip
Wow, that's quite a trip from NZ! I'm glad to know you've been there. - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
3
votes

That is wonderful mate , the photos are a treat , I was there 41 years ago and climbed to

the top with my 5 year old son he still remembers it still as a highlight of a world trip.

I notice that there are not people climbing the large Pyramid ,I hope that is now

forbidden because it causes so much damage to ancient monuments like this one.

updated Feb 15, 2012
posted by ray76
No, they still allow one to walk up and down. The Temple of the Moon is the steeper. I agree, the wear on these structures must be harmful. - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
I doubt that I could or would climb it today , and yes it was the Temple of the moon , i have photos of us near to the top , we had an awesome time in México. - ray76, Feb 12, 2012
3
votes

Jeremias,

These are fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing.

Frank.

updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by mtmonadnock
Good to know you enjoyed them! - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
2
votes

Nice photos... You really make me want to go to Mexico.....:D

updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by rjeng
debrias ir!! - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
2
votes

This is great - you've really whetted my appetite for travel. Nice photos smile

updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by patch
:) - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
2
votes

Estoy especialmente disfrutando de las estructuras de piedra y dibujos. Gracias por compartir tu viaje, Jeremías!

updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by bandit51jd
Imprisionante, de veras - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
2
votes

The photos are wonderful, thank you for sharing them with us.

updated Feb 12, 2012
posted by rac1
I'm really glad you enjoyed them! - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012
1
vote

Thanks for sharing your moments with us Jeremias!

updated Feb 15, 2012
posted by ianta
No hay de que Ianta - Jeremias, Feb 12, 2012