Mexico City Attractions
Steps To Great Temple © www.delange.org
Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor (Great Temple) was the principal temple of the
Aztecs, believed to mark the centre of the universe. It was part of
the sacred complex of the ancient city of Tenochtitlán, and
today it has been excavated to show the multiple layers of
construction, viewed from a raised walkway with explanatory
material available. The temple was first built in 1375, and
enlarged several times, each rebuilding accompanied by a frenzied
bloody sacrifice of captured warriors to rededicate the sacred
area. At the centre is a platform on which stands a sacrificial
stone in front of the shrine to the tribal god, Huizilopochtli.
Within the site is the excellent Museo del Templo Mayor, a museum
displaying artefacts from the original site and providing an
overview of Aztec civilisation. The most important display is the
first artefact to be discovered on the site, the great wheel-like
stone carving of the Aztec goddess of the moon, Coyilxauhqui.
Address: Seminario 8, Historical District;
E-mail: difusion.mntm@inah.gob.mx;
Website: www.templomayor.inah.gob.mx (Spanish only);
Telephone: 542-02-56;
Transport: Take metro to Zocalo. Templo Mayor is off Zocalo, to the right of the city cathedral if you face it;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm
;
Admission: Museum: $45 (adults), children under 13 free
