Patio de los Altares

When you first arrive at the Patio de los Altares, you might look at it and think it was once a form of Toltec era football pitch. It´s a wide grassy expanse surrounded by ancient stone slabs, in the shadow of the Great Pyramid. In reality though, the altars were put to a more macabre use. They contain skulls of children, believed to be messengers of the rain god Tlaloc, who were sacrificed during droughts. There are also seashells buried as a tribute to the apparently less bloodthirsty Quetzalcoatl. Interesting but faded murals adorn several of the structures- check out the Site Museum (8 Norte #2, opposite the entrance to the tunnels, Tue-Sun 10 a.m- 5 p.m, $4 including entrance to the Site) for clearer replicas.

Location:
Archaeological Site, next to Great Pyramid, Cholula
Cholula, Mexico

Ruin Types:
Ruins

Price Description: $4 (Ticket to Archaeological Site and Great Pyramid)

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:9 a.m.

Open Hours to:6 p.m.

Days Closed:none

Travel Skills: None

Currencies accepted
Mexican peso

By Lisa Rodan

Created: 30 Dec 2008

Updated: 30 Dec 2008