By Frank "Sugar" Hudson
A favorite weekend tour out of San Miguel de Allende is a visit to the pyramids and ancient archaeological sites in Teotihuacán. Of course, you have to start in Mexico City, staying in one of the many fine hotels in Centro. I enjoy the Hotel Catedral, economically priced and surrounded by fine restaurants and shops. Get an early start the next morning for Teotihuacán, located about 2 hours north-east of Mexico City. From there you can explore the ancient city, including the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, and the Avenue of the Dead. Teotihuacán was settled around 400 B.C. and became the most powerful and influential city in the region. The city was home to 100,000 inhabitants by the VIth century, the first large metropolis in the Americas. The name means "the place where the gods meet.”
The Pyramid of the Sun, an ancient architectural marvel located in the heart of Teotihuacán, is one of the largest and most significant structures of its kind in the Americas. It serves as a cultural and symbolic representation of the Teotihuacan civilization that flourished between the first and seventh centuries AD.
The history of the Pyramid of the Sun is intimately linked with the city, which was established around 100 BC. It is thought to have been built during the early part of the city's history, around 200 AD, based on various archaeological findings, including ceramic analyses and dating of the construction materials. The pyramid is part of a broader complex of monumental architecture including the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and the Avenue of the Dead, which functioned as the main thoroughfare of the city.
Before making the drive back to Mexico City you need to visit the museum and gift shop. The local guides put on a lecture of Teotihuacan history and local native cuisine can be enjoyed in the town. A relaxing walk through the town’s downtown area and the shopping will get you ready for a return to the high life of Mexico City.
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