On the Trail of the Ancient Aztecs in Mexico

Though the heartbeat of the Aztec empire has diminished over time, there still remains an intriguing opportunity for travellers to trace the art, architecture, and rich heritage of a culture that ruled over Central Mexico from the 12th to 14th centuries. This colourful path into the Mesoamerican past can even be integrated into a casual Mexico holiday in 2013, as the relics of the Aztecs are conveniently on display in various forms in and around the country’s capital and primary travel hub, Mexico City.

Some of these Aztec attractions are dedicated tourist destinations, while others are ruins that require a bit of exploration, but all the sites share a unique ability to provide glimpses into a past when the Aztec Empire flourished and spread its political, social, educational, and spiritual influence over a wide section of the Americas.

Had it not been for the arrival of the Conquistadores, who with a mixture of warfare and disease brought about a premature end to a powerful empire, the legacy of the Aztecs might be greater and farther reaching over the continent. As history would have it, travellers to Mexico can begin their journey down the Aztec trail in the relatively contained area of Mexico City and its surrounds.

Templo Mayor Museum

Mexico City was built on the ancient capital of the Aztec empire, Tenochtitlan, where a great temple called the Templo Mayor served as an important centre of religion and society. The Templo Mayor continues to be a focus of study and excavation for archaeologists and historians, and today tourists can view a rich array of Aztec relics by visiting the Museum of the Templo Mayor, located near the heart of Mexico City and the ruins of the original structure.

Teotihuacan

In the highlands northeast of the city lie the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, so archaic that even the Aztecs themselves considered it an old city. You can visit Teotihuacan during your Mexican holiday adventure and see up close such sacred sites as the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead, all named by the Aztecs after their discovery of this mysterious citadel.

Calixtlahuaca

Temples, pyramids and modest dwellings wait to be discovered at the ruins of Calixtlahuaca, located west of Mexico City in the highlands of Toluca Valley. The historical site reveals clues of the Aztec lifestyle – how the people lived, worshiped, and died during the heyday of the empire.

El Tepozteco

The Aztec temple known as El Tepozteco is located In Tepoztlan National Park, south of Mexico City. Considered one of the smaller of the old temples, El Tepozteco still provides the intrepid traveller a chance to contemplate the cultural tone and texture of the Aztecs, who no doubt made a considerable effort to establish a place of worship in this remote mountain region. This site is also renowned for its peaceful and lovely national park scenery.

—Sam Morrison is a British travel writer. He spends most of his time planning or writing about finding the best budget and backpacking holidays to North and South America.

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Author: Guest Writer

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