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Tepozteco
Country: Mexico.

The site of the Tepozteco, the same as the valley of Tepoztlán, was occupied in the year 1200 D.C. by the xochimilcas. In 1438 it was conquered by Izcoátl, mexica lord, and forced to pay tribute to the Triple Alliance (formed by the groups mexicas, texcocanos and tepanecas). In 1521 it is conquered by the Spaniards and becomes part of the "Marquesado del Valle", belonging to Cortés.

The Tepozteco was built in the summit of an abrupt rocky formation; for this the prehispanic architects cut and stuffed the peak of the hill. In this platform a pyramidal basement rose and the temple of Tepoztécatl was built.

The temple is composed of a lobby and room, with an entrance with three clearings. Although the roof was not conserved, it can be thought that it was a plane roof supported by a wooden structure of beams and firedogs. We can see an example of this type of roofs in Xochicalco.

Tepoztécatl is one of the deities related with the plant of the maguey and the pulque; its calendar name was Ome Tochtli, 2 rabbit. In the Meso-American cosmogony the rabbit was a lunar being; the gods of the pulque, were lunar beings. The sculpture of this god was destroyed by the Dominican friar Domingo of the Announcement by the middle of the XVI century.

Ecoturismolatino's Opinion

The pyramid of the Tepozteco is the destination of a Sunday pilgrimage, not for ritual reasons, but it would seem more of a challenge for the visitors. On your way up 2km of hundreds of stone steps are walked on. While some people ascend with the face of fatigue, others descend running. This must be the archaeological site of smaller extension and more visited of all Mexico. Many people attribute it cosmic energy and it is a common site to see on the temple people forming a circle holding hands and, supposedly, recharging their body with energy. For the history and the views of the mountains and valleys it is a place that is worthwhile to visit.

Tepozteco - Archaeological Site

Entrance fee: $22 pesos. Schedule: 9:00 at 17:00, open every day. Free entrance: Sundays and festival days. Free: Children smaller than 13 years, members of the INSEN, students and teachers.

How to arrive and where to stay?

It is inside the boundaries of the National Park "El Tepozteco". For further information review our page on Tepoztlán. When you get to Tepoztlán follow the river of people that goes towards the hills, all of them are probably heading to the pyramid (almost sure).

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Mexico: Archeological Sites
	Tepozteco Country: Mexico. The site of the Tepozteco, the same as the valley of Tepoztlán, was occupied in the year 1200 D.C. by the xochimilcas. In 1438 it was conquered by Izcoátl, mexica lord, and forced to pay tribute to the Triple Alliance (formed by the groups mexicas, texcocanos and tepanecas). In 1521 it is conquered by the Spaniards and becomes part of the "Marquesado del Valle", belonging to Cortés. The Tepozteco was built in the summit of an abrupt rocky formation; for this the prehispanic architects cut and stuffed the peak of the hill. In this platform a pyramidal basement rose and the temple of Tepoztécatl was built. The temple is composed of a lobby and room, with an entrance with three clearings. Although the roof was not conserved, it can be thought that it was a plane roof supported by a wooden structure of beams and firedogs. We can see an example of this type of roofs in Xochicalco. Tepoztécatl is one of the deities related with the plant of the maguey and the pulque; its calendar name was Ome Tochtli, 2 rabbit. In the Meso-American cosmogony the rabbit was a lunar being; the gods of the pulque, were lunar beings. The sculpture of this god was destroyed by the Dominican friar Domingo of the Announcement by the middle of the XVI century. Ecoturismolatino's Opinion The pyramid of the Tepozteco is the destination of a Sunday pilgrimage, not for ritual reasons, but it would seem more of a challenge for the visitors. On your way up 2km of hundreds of stone steps are walked on. While some people ascend with the face of fatigue, others descend running. This must be the archaeological site of smaller extension and more visited of all Mexico. Many people attribute it cosmic energy and it is a common site to see on the temple people forming a circle holding hands and, supposedly, recharging their body with energy. For the history and the views of the mountains and valleys it is a place that is worthwhile to visit. Tepozteco - Archaeological Site Entrance fee: $22 pesos. Schedule: 9:00 at 17:00, open every day. Free entrance: Sundays and festival days. Free: Children smaller than 13 years, members of the INSEN, students and teachers. How to arrive and where to stay? It is inside the boundaries of the National Park "El Tepozteco". For further information review our page on Tepoztlán. When you get to Tepoztlán follow the river of people that goes towards the hills, all of them are probably heading to the pyramid (almost sure).