10 Fascinating Things You MUST Know About Teotihuacan

Arq. Pablo Vazquez
May 19
7 min read

A lover of discovering new places and a workaholic, in short, an architect.

Teotihuacan, located in Mexico City, was one of the most impressive pre-Hispanic cities in the world. With a rich history and monumental architecture, this ancient metropolis continues to fascinate visitors today. Below, we explore the 10 most important points you need to know to make the most of your visit.

1. The City of the Gods

Teotihuacán, whose name means "Place where the gods were created" in Nahuatl, represents a monument that encapsulates the spirituality and worldview of pre-Hispanic cultures in Mesoamerica.

Founded around 200 BC, this city became a religious and cultural epicenter, profoundly influencing subsequent civilizations. Designed as an earthly representation of cosmic order, every structure, street, and plaza reflects the sacred connection between humanity and the gods, evidenced by precise alignment with key astronomical events. Teotihuacán housed numerous temples dedicated to various deities, highlighting their deep spirituality through rituals, offerings, and communal processions.

The Teotihuacán worldview conceived of it as a living entity, a reflection of the ongoing creation of the universe. This holistic approach to its architecture and urban planning made it a beacon of spiritual and cultural knowledge in ancient times, leaving a legacy that endures in the ruins today. Exploring Teotihuacán is like immersing yourself in the City of the Gods, where past and divinity converge in a monumental testament to the greatness of pre-Hispanic civilizations.

2. Pyramid of the Sun

The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, one of the largest in the world at approximately 65 meters tall, stands out for its imposing presence and cultural and astronomical significance. Its precise orientation reveals a profound understanding of celestial cycles and their connection to astronomical events.

Masterfully constructed, the pyramid reflects the technical and organizational skill of the Teotihuacan civilization. From its summit, it offers a stunning panoramic view of the city, demonstrating the precision of urban planning. The Pyramid of the Sun is not only an architectural achievement but also a link between the earthly and the heavenly, testifying to the spiritual greatness of Teotihuacan.

3. Pyramid of the Moon

The Pyramid of the Moon, an imposing complement to the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, adds mystery and significance to the city's architecture. Although lower than the Pyramid of the Sun, its strategic location and symbolism contribute to Teotihuacan's spiritual depth.

Located at the intersection of the Avenue of the Dead and the Avenue of the Dead, its stepped design suggests a ceremonial purpose for religious rituals. Dedicated to fertility and moon deities, the pyramid's orientation suggests links to astronomical events and lunar cycles, integrating cosmology into urban planning.

The Pyramid of the Moon, more than an architectural achievement, is a monument to the sacred connection between earth and sky, life and fertility. Its architectural and symbolic complexity gradually reveals itself, inviting reflection on the spirituality of Teotihuacan.

4. Avenue of the Dead

The Avenue of the Dead in Teotihuacan, a backbone connecting the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, goes beyond being a simple road. Known as Miccaotli in Nahuatl, this approximately 4-kilometer avenue is charged with symbolism and solemnity. Aligned with astronomical events, its importance as a spiritual axis is highlighted, conceived for processions and religious rituals in honor of the gods and cosmic cycles.

On both sides of the Avenue of the Dead, ceremonial structures and elite residences are found, reflecting the symmetrical and symbolic urban planning of Teotihuacan. Beyond its ceremonial significance, the causeway also served as a lively commercial space for markets and merchants, weaving into the city's daily life.

This causeway is more than a stone walkway; it is a tangible testimony to the Teotihuacan worldview, inviting visitors to travel back in time and experience the magnificence of a city where the earthly and the divine converge in an intricate cultural and spiritual dance.

5. Art and Mural Paintings

The mural paintings of Teotihuacan, scattered across various archaeological sites, offer a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and beliefs of this ancient civilization. Particularly prominent in "The Citadel," they depict everything from religious rituals to daily routines with a vibrant palette and sophisticated techniques. The murals, populated with animals, plants, and deities, reveal the spiritual and mythological beliefs of Teotihuacan, while the attired human figures provide insights into ritual practices and social hierarchy.

Furthermore, the murals demonstrate the cultural interconnection between Teotihuacan and other Mesoamerican civilizations, displaying influences from the Olmec and Mayan cultures. As archaeologists discover and restore more murals, a narrative unravels that reconstructs the history and identity of Teotihuacan. These works are not only aesthetic expressions, but living testimonies to the cultural and spiritual complexity of a civilization that left its mark on the walls of its city. Each brushstroke and color tells a story, bringing the inhabitants of Teotihuacan to life in a silent dialogue with time.

6. Cult of Quetzalcoatl

At Teotihuacan, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, occupies a central place in the spirituality of the ancient city. This dual deity, a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth, is represented in sculptures and altars throughout the city. The Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent stands out as a ceremonial center, symbolizing rituals linked to agricultural and solar cycles.

Quetzalcoatl is linked to Tlaloc, the god of rain, in a belief system that encompasses fertility and the renewal of life. The feathered serpent, as a mediator between heaven and earth, symbolizes the duality of life and death, creating meaning in rituals and artistic expressions.

This deity reflects the spiritual depth of Teotihuacan, where inhabitants sought not only material prosperity but also harmony with nature and the cosmos. Quetzalcoatl represents a worldview that goes beyond the earthly, seeking connection with the divine.

7. Architectural Complexity

The architecture of Teotihuacan reveals meticulous urban planning that continues to amaze archaeologists and visitors. The symmetrical layout and perfectly aligned streets indicate a profound understanding of geometry and astronomy, evidencing an architectural intent beyond the functional. The city has two main plazas, the Plaza of the Moon and the Plaza of the Citadel, which stand out as multifunctional ceremonial centers.

The adaptation to the terrain demonstrates technical skill and a conscious integration with the natural environment. Platforms and patios, in addition to serving ceremonial purposes, contribute to the organization of space and to social and ritual events. The talud-tablero technique, with sloping walls and rectangular elements, gives a distinctive appearance to structures, including pyramids.

Recent research has uncovered a network of tunnels beneath the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, adding complexity to the architectural planning. The city stands out not only for the magnitude of its structures, but also for the interconnectedness and harmony that reflect the technical skill and cosmogonic vision of a civilization that sought transcendence through its constructions.

8. Lack of Knowledge of the Builders

The mystery surrounding Teotihuacan is intensified by the fact that the identity of its original builders remains unknown to this day. Unlike later civilizations in Mesoamerica, these builders left no written records or inscriptions that reveal their origins or purposes. Theories about the original inhabitants include the possibility of a multiethnic society or migratory groups.

The abandonment of the city in the 7th century AD remains unclear, as the lack of written documentation makes it difficult to determine whether it was caused by climatic factors, internal conflicts, or changes in religious beliefs. This lack of information has prompted archaeological and anthropological investigations, utilizing modern technologies such as LiDAR mapping and DNA analysis.

Despite the anonymity of its builders, Teotihuacan remains a testament to the grandeur of an organized and advanced society. The city, shrouded in mystery, represents an enduring legacy that inspires research and debate within the archaeological community, adding an additional layer of wonder to its monumental magnitude.

9. Influence in Mesoamerica

Teotihuacan's influence on the Mesoamerican region goes beyond its ruins, highlighting its central role in the cultural and architectural evolution of later civilizations.

The Teotihuacan architectural style, with its street layout, use of talud-tablero (tablero slopes), and urban planning, left a lasting mark on cultures such as the Maya and Toltec. Cities such as Tula, Chichén Itzá, and Tenochtitlan exhibit clear signs of this influence in their ceremonial structures and urban planning, replicating concepts such as causeways and multifunctional plazas.

The iconography and symbolism of Teotihuacan, including representations of deities like Quetzalcoatl, spread throughout Mesoamerica, integrating into sculptures, murals, and rituals of neighboring cultures. Its importance as a trading center is reflected in the distribution of ceramic objects and handicrafts, consolidating cultural and economic connections in the region.

The influence of Teotihuacan was not static; later civilizations adapted and transformed Teotihuacan elements to suit their own needs and beliefs, generating a rich cultural diversity in Mesoamerica. Teotihuacan's influence endures throughout the ages, connecting diverse cultures across the vast Mesoamerican region.

10. Conservation and Tourism

The legacy of Teotihuacan transcends history, manifesting itself today through conservation and tourism efforts that seek to preserve and share this archaeological treasure.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Teotihuacan has been the subject of various conservation programs, ranging from structural stabilization to the restoration of mural paintings. Tourism management measures include specific routes and education to encourage a respectful approach.

The Site Museum offers visitors an additional opportunity to explore the city's history and culture by displaying artifacts found during excavations. Despite these efforts, Teotihuacan faces challenges such as air pollution and seismic activity, requiring careful management.

Sustainable tourism not only provides economic opportunities but also highlights the importance of preserving the site. Conservation and tourism at Teotihuacan represent a balance between sharing its cultural legacy and ensuring its preservation over time, requiring an ongoing commitment to sustainability and careful management of the site for future generations.