Guide To Templo Mayor Archaeological Park

About Templo Mayor

According to Legend, the Aztecs were told by a god to find a place where an eagle stood upon a cactus with a snake in its beak, and there, to build their city Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital that was to become epicenter of power for the powerful Aztec Empire.

In 1978, some electricity workers unearthed an 8-tonne stone disc of Coyolxauqui ("Koh-yowl-SHAU-kee"), an Aztec goddess.

Further exploration revealed that there was an entire archaeological wonder lying beneath Mexico City's streets, and a decision was taken to demolish some old colonial buildings, to reveal the Templo Mayor (Main Temple) - and the place where it is believed the Aztecs saw the sign given to them by their gods. Today it is still Mexico's national symbol: an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake.

It was nine years hence, in 1987, that the museum was officially opened, but people have been visiting the site, even during the digging stages, albeit in limited numbers and in restricted areas.

The Templo Mayor is today a major attraction in the very heart of downtown Mexico City, and is one of Mexico's most important archaeological sites.

If you're in Mexico City, the Templo Mayor should be on high on your list of places to explore and experience.

For further details about the attractions at this archaeological site, consult one of the mainstream Guidebooks, available via the Mexperience Bookshelf, or consult the local tourist office (see Practical Information below).

[Return to Contents Table]

Key Attractions

The Museo del Templo Mayor has a stunning collection of Aztec artifacts - the best you'll find anywhere - and they were all dug up from the ruins around the Templo Mayor.

The Templo Mayor itself is an impressive piece of archaeology. The Temple and other structures you see here were some of the first sights Hernan Cortes and his Spanish travelers saw when they arrived at Tenochtitlan nearly 500 years ago.

You may find it more beneficial to visit the covered museum inside the archaeological site before wandering around the ruins, to get a better idea of what the area looked like, as there is a detailed scale model of the old city inside the museum. The covered museum is at the end of the "tour" inside the site, so if you want to do this, make sure you start walking from the "exit"; the museum will be across a small walkway on your right.

Guidebooks

For further details about the attractions at this archaeological site, consult one of the mainstream Guidebooks, available via the Mexperience Bookshelf.

[Return to Contents Table]

Getting There & Around

The Templo Mayor can be found in downtown Mexico City - just off the Zocalo (Main Square) to the right of the city's Cathedral as you face it. Take the Metro to "Zocalo", or ask your taxi to take you to the "Templo Mayor".

For full information about getting to and around Mexico City, see the Guide to Mexico City on Mexperience.

[Return to Contents Table]

Practical Information

Opening Days & Times: Tuesday-Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Admission used to be free for everybody on Sundays, but this rule was changed in February 2003; now only Mexican citizens and foreign residents (with proof of residency) can enter free. All children under 13 and those over 60 can still enter free of charge.

Photography & Video: A permit is required if you want to use a tripod to take photographs at the archaeological site. A small fee is made for the use of hand-held video equipment. Read the section on Mexperience Travel Essentials about Video & Photography at archaeological sites in Mexico.

Ideal Clothing & Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes with a non-slip sole. Climate is temperate year-round but Mexico City can get hot in the summer months - take sun cream and a hat.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Tourist Information Office: Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details of the nearest Tourist Information office.

[Return to Contents Table]

Nearby Places & Attractions

Major Cities: Mexico City

Colonial Cities: Cuernavaca, Puebla, Taxco, Queretaro

Nearest Beaches/Resorts: Acapulco

Other Archaeological Sites: Teotihuacán

[Return to Contents Table]

Local Climate

The Local Climate is the same as that for Mexico City's - Temperate all year round; can get hotter in the summer months; cooler in the winter, especially mornings and evenings. The rainy season is May-October; drenching rains tend to arrive in the afternoon and last for a 2-3 hours. If you will be exploring Templo Mayor, take sun cream and at a hat as even in Mexico City it can get quite hot, especially during the spring and summer months.

Live Weather Report: (Mexico City)

[Return to Contents Table]