How to Visit the Aztec Park Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor is one of the Aztecs most grand and beautiful pyramids. Discovered where Mexico City is now located, this archaeological site was accidently uncovered by utility workers. Once excavation of the pyramid started, an entire city named Tenochtitlan was discovered.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Comfortable walking shoes and clothing
• Water bottles

1. Start by reading up on Aztec history before you tour any of the pyramids at this site. Being able to understand what you will be seeing and why it is thought that it was built will make the tour and trip so much more enjoyable.
2. Ask for tours about Templo Mayor once you get to Mexico City. Guided tours are available or you can take a cab on your own. It is located in downtown Mexico City near the main square of Zocalo. There is a charge for all non-citizens ages 13 and above. Citizens of Mexico can visit for free on Sundays.
3. Wear clothing that can be layered and that breathes well. Mexico city is hot and can get quite humid in the summer months. Much of the time exploring will be outdoors.
4. Tour the museum, Museo del Templo Mayor. It is located inside the archaeological site and houses a detailed model of what the entire city is thought to have looked like. Even though it is at the end of the tour, it may be more informative to go through the museum first and then tour Templo Mayor.
5. Imagine this pyramid, standing 190 feet high, with 2 staircases being connected at the top by 1 platform. The structure has been greatly destroyed by time and by the Spaniards when they overthrew the Aztecs, but you can still imagine its greatness.
6. Tour the excavation site if open to the public. Because work is constantly being done to unearth other areas of Tenochtitlan, Templo Mayor may be closed to tourist traffic. If it is closed you can still tour the museum, Museo del Templo Mayor, which encompasses many of the uncovered artifacts and is loaded with wonderful information about the entire Aztec city as well as Templo Mayor.
7. Notice the 7 layers of the pyramid if you can. Each layer or addition was built due to flood damages, but morso due to changes in ruling parties. Rulers would want to add on their own ideas to the temple to honor the gods. When a new area of the pyramid was finished, the pyramid needed to be re-consecrated. This meant many human sacrifices during the honoring of the gods ceremonies.