Which means that in South and Central America there are these monumental constructions surrounded by mysteries, myths and pure history and Mexico has at least 15. Let's get to know them!
1. Pyramid of the Magician
Mayan construction in the ancient archaeological site of Uxmal, in the state of Yucatán.
The also known as the pyramid of the "sorcerer" or the "dwarf" was built in stone and in harmony with other buildings found in the place.
It is believed to be the work of a sorcerer dwarf who raised it 35 meters high with a base of 54 meters, in just one day. This character would have been born from an egg found by a witch in Uxmal, who after the years would become the king of the tribe.
The pyramid has an oval plan and 5 levels of flat surface, where there is a temple in each one.
2. Temple of Kukulkán
Another Mayan work also from the state of Yucatán but in the remains of the pre-Hispanic city of Chichén Itzá.
Its architectural characteristics are similar to those of royal castles in Europe in the Middle Ages, which is believed to be the reason why the Spanish called it "El Castillo" when they found it in the 15th century.
The 12th century pre-Hispanic building is 24 meters high from its 55 meter base. It reaches 30 meters if you count the temple at its tip.
In addition to treasures such as a jaguar sculpture with 74 inlaid red jades, it adds chambers where ceremonies and rituals with sacrifices are believed to have been performed.
Be sure to visit it because it is one of the most emblematic of Mexico.
3. Temple of Inscriptions
Tallest pyramid with the greatest historical relevance in the archaeological zone of Palenque, in the state of Chiapas.
The construction of the "House of the Nine Sharp Spears", as it is also known, is attributed to the kingdom of the Mayan culture to boast the then village chief, Pakal "the Great" and to protect his body when he died.
Its height from the base is 22.8 meters with 5 reliefs. It is built in stone painted in red, yellow and blue colors. Above, at the top, was the tomb of Pakal's corpse.
4. Pyramid B of Tula
In the archaeological zone of Tula, in the city of Hidalgo, you will find one of the most particular pyramids in Mexico due to the huge Atlanteans that guard its top.
Pyramid B of Tula is made up of 5 pyramidal formations that together lead to a wide platform, where there are pillars in the shape of Toltec warriors known to Atlanteans.
At the top there are engraved venerations towards the God Quetzalcóatl, so it is believed that a temple existed at the top and the pyramid was used to worship one of the greatest pre-Hispanic gods.
5. Pyramid of Nohoch Mul
The highest in all of Yucatan with 42 meters high, 7 levels and 120 steps. Located in the archaeological zone of Cobá, it is considered the oldest of the Mayan civilization.
It is believed that its temple at the top was a ceremonial center of great value.
6. Tenam Puente Pyramid
Despite being built with 4 levels and a height of just over 30 meters between 300 and 600 AD, it is still one of the best preserved pyramids in the country.
You will find it at the archaeological site in the Ballum Canan valley, in Chiapas. Its name comes from the Nahuatl term that means wall or fortress, because this is what the construction looks like.
Its top was used for sacrifices and other ceremonial rites.
7. Pyramid of Monte Albán
Zapotec construction in the city of Oaxaca, Mote Albán, one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.
It is one of the smallest with only 15 meters high and 6 levels from the base to the top.
Its location with respect to the rest of the buildings is strategic and accessible from various roads, which is why it is believed to have been the main center for ceremonies or rituals.
8. Pyramid of the Cañada de la Virgen
Like other structures within the Cañada de la Virgen archaeological zone, the pyramid is built along the Laja river, a privileged position for the use of hydraulic engineering.
According to the National Institute of Anthropology and History, the structure was used as a lunar clock to establish the hunting and harvest periods.
Located in the city of San Miguel de Allende, one of the main civilizations of the Toltecas and Chimecas, in Mexico, it is 15 meters high from the base to the top, with 5 levels from the ascent.
Its cusp has a flat surface with a platform that is believed to have been a temple or another type of building.
9. Pyramid of Peralta
Although many attribute its construction to Bajío, a little-known tribe, it is considered one of the few settlements typical of the Chichimecas civilization.
Its construction around the Lerma river was decisive in the prosperity of its inhabitants between the years 200 and 700.
The Pyramid of Peralta in the vicinity of the community of Peralta, Guanajuato state, is 20 meters high with 5 levels and a stepped platform, with which you can access the top.
Unlike other Mexican pyramids, its top has the same surface size as its base, so it is not ruled out that its top has been used for large ceremonies.
10. Pyramid of Calakmul
There are 4 sarcophagi inside, all ancient members of the Mayan royalty and a variety of hieroglyphs engraved in stone. Without a doubt, his maximum appeal after his physical greatness.
The Calakmul Pyramid is deep in the Yucatan jungle, the archaeological site of this Mayan site. It predominates among all vegetation.
It is believed that in this pre-Hispanic city kings or people of high hierarchy used to live, a feature that among other characteristics made it be declared by Unesco in 2002 as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
11. Pyramid of the Niches
In the state of Veracruz, considered an emblem of the Tajín archaeological zone, it is one of the maximum cultural expressions of the Totonacas.
In each of its 7 levels of surface there are 365 crypts or niches only on the façade, not including hidden entrances below the staircase.
Its height reaches 20 meters with an open cusp that makes one believe that a temple was built on it or was used as a plaza for ceremonies.
Although the color of its facade is sober and gray by erosion, it was painted an intense red with each of its niches in black.
12. Pyramid of the Moon
Her name in Nahuatl is Tenan, which means mother or protector of the stone. It was built as a tribute to the female figure and her maternal role, specifically to the Goddess of the Moon.
The pyramid is in the Great State of Mexico, in the ruins of Teotihuacán, which was considered the largest of the metropolises in all of Mesoamerica.
It reaches 43 meters in height with a peak from where you can see all of Teotihuacán and especially the Plaza de la Luna, built in front of the pyramid in the shape of an altar.
13. Pyramid of the Sun
A few meters ahead of the Pyramid of the Moon is the Pyramid of the Sun, specifically in the Calzada de los Muertos, the central axis of this ancient Mesoamerican city.
It reaches a height of almost 64 meters which makes it the third highest in all of Mexico.
Its 238 steps to climb to the top are justified because up there you will feel an unequaled connection with the area.
14. Great Pyramid of Cholula
Its base of 400 x 400 meters and volume of 4,500,000 cubic meters, make it the largest in the world, but not in height, 65 meters.
It is characterized by its Catholic temple at the top, Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios, built by the Spaniards during the 16th century to impose their beliefs, above Mesoamerican polytheism.
Great Pyramid of Cholula whose term in Nahuatl translates to a handmade hill, is in the archaeological zone of Cholula.
15. Pyramid of Toniná
Its 75 meters high make it the tallest in Mexico and the largest among the buildings in the archaeological zone of Toniná, in the city of Ocosingo.
It is believed that this city was inhabited by the Mayan civilization and used to gather the village chiefs, due to the inscriptions carved in stone and other remains studied.
Inside it has the two highest temples in all of Mesoamerica, the Temple of the Prisoners and the Temple of the Smoky Mirrors, where celestial deities were worshiped.
The visit to Toniná and its monumental buildings is part of the trips with the greatest cultural richness that you could plan.
Although some of these pyramids are more popular than others, the historical importance they have for ancient Mesoamerican civilizations is the same.
Which one would you visit first? Share your opinion in the comments!
