Important Sites in Central Mexico

Teotihuacan was one of the most populous and large cities of the Americas in its heyday. During the Early Classic period, Teotihuacan's artistic influence was diffused all over Mesoamerica. The city maintained political and economic relations with the regions as far as the Maya lowlands and the Highlands of Guatemala. Here are some of the buildings in Teotihuacan you don't want to miss:

• walking tour of Teotihuacan

The city of Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec empire. It now lies under modern Mexico city, but many parts of the pre-Columbian capital have been brought to light in the past decades, especially the sacred precinct, where the most important political and religious buildings of the Aztec/Mexica once stood.

Tlatelolco was the twin capital of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. Tlatelolco was the commercial center of the empire and its huge and organized market was vividly described by the Spanish captain Bernal Diaz del Castillo. Tlatelolco was also the theater of the last Aztec resistance against the Spanish. The main buildings of the archaeological area of Tlatelolco include: the Temple of the Paintings, the Temple of Calendrics, the Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, and the Coatepantli, or "wall of snakes" which encloses the sacred precinct of Tlatelolco.

The site of Malinalco, near the modern city of Cuernavaca, houses an important hilltop Aztec temple related to the cult of Eagle and Jaguar warriors as well as to the Aztec/Mexica imperial power.

Xochicalco was a fortress city spread out over a series of remodeled terraces. Its higher levels were occupied by the civic-ceremonial sector and the lower ones by residential areas. The main buildings at Xochicalco include the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, three ball courts and a human-remodeled cave that functioned as astronomical observatory.

Cacaxtla is a Late Classic to Epiclassic site in the state of Tlaxcala. It is mostly famous for a series of beautiful murals, depicting noble warriors of the eagle and Jaguar order.

Cholula was an important city and pilgrimage center since very early times in Mesoamerica. Evidence suggests that Cholula was inhabited as early as 1000 BC. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is one of the largest buildings in the American continent. In 1969, the famous Mural of the Drinkers was discovered inside the pyramid. This mural portrays images of feasting and Pulque drinking.

Cuicuilco was one of the most important Preclassic/Formative sites in Mesoamerica until it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The most important building at Cuicuilco is a round pyramid still visible today in the archaeological area.

Chalcatzingo is an important Formative/Preclassic site in Morelos, with strong evidence of Olmec influences, visible in its earthen architecture, stone thrones and images in pure Olmec style.