Teotihuacan is dominated by the massive Pyramid of the Sun, a towering 70 meters (230 ft) high monster on the east side of the Calzada de los Muertos, near the Pyramid of the Moon. It’s Mexico’s second biggest ancient structure after Cholula, and much more impressive than its collapsed, grass covered rival. The bottom of the pyramid is almost the same as the Great Pyramid at Giza, although much lower. Nonetheless, if you’ve had your energy-giving atole for breakfast, definitely make the wheezing climb to the top as the views are spectacular.

The pyramid is all the more impressive when you consider its mysterious builders constructed it out of 2.5 million tons of stone and earth around 1 A.D- before the invention of the wheel and without any beasts of burden or metal tools. Further respect is due for their two millennia old town planning skills. On two days a year (May 19th and July 25th), the sun’s rays fall directly on the pyramid at noon, before later setting directly across from the western façade.

Location:
Teotihuacan, Mexico

Ruin

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None

By Lisa Rodan

Created: 28 Apr 2009

Updated: 30 Apr 2009