The city's original name remains unknown; 'Teotihuacán' was given by the Aztecs centuries after the city's collapse.
The Pyramid of the Sun contains approximately 1 million cubic meters of material, largely built over a natural lava tube cave.
The city's grid layout aligns with the movement of the Pleiades star cluster.
Mica, a heat-resistant mineral not native to the region, was used in the construction of several temple floors.
The Avenue of the Dead is not a straight line but shifts 15 degrees to account for the site's complex architectural orientation.
Archaeological evidence suggests Teotihuacán was a multi-ethnic city, with distinct quarters for Zapotec, Mayan, and Gulf Coast residents.
The Temple of the Feathered Serpent features over 200 stone heads of the deity Quetzalcoatl and an unidentified reptilian creature.
Teotihuacán is a vast archaeological site featuring the massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, linked by the 2.5-kilometer-long Avenue of the Dead. The site was one of the largest cities in the pre-Columbian Americas, reaching its peak between 100 and 650 CE. Architecture is characterized by the talud-tablero style, consisting of inward-sloping walls topped by rectangular panels. The city layout is precisely aligned with astronomical phenomena and surrounding volcanic peaks. Excavations have revealed elaborate mural paintings, particularly in the Tepantitla and Atetelco residential compounds. The site contains the Ciudadela, a large sunken plaza housing the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. Volcanic obsidian was the city’s primary economic driver, used to craft tools and ritual objects distributed throughout Mesoamerica. The site remains a UNESCO World Heritage property, recognized for its exceptional preservation of urban planning and monumental stonework.
The view of the Avenue of the Dead from the base of the Pyramid of the Moon.
Bring substantial sun protection and water, as there is almost no shade across the main plazas.
Wear footwear with excellent grip, as ancient stone stairs are uneven and steep.
Use the site's peripheral entrances to avoid the crowds that congregate at the main gate.
Avoid the midday sun when temperatures on the open plains can be extreme. Do not buy obsidian souvenirs from unlicensed vendors inside the site boundaries.
Open daily, including holidays.
Do not climb the structures, as access is restricted to preserve the stone, and avoid disturbing archaeological remains.
