Calixtlahuaca
House on the plain
The prosperous city of Matlazinca, between the Mexica empire and the Purépecha zone of influence. Conquered by the Mexicas in 1474, the remains date from this period. Notable for the rounded bases of the Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, with its tzompantli (wall of skulls).
About the site
Otomi, Teotihuacano, Toltec, Mazahua, Matlatzinca and Nahua groups settled in the Toluca Valley in pre-Hispanic times.
Olmec-influenced organized groups invaded in the Preclassic period (1000 BC to 150 AD). From 250 AD, the Teotihuacanos occupied the Toluca Valley and Calixtlahuaca, as well as other sites, owing to the diversity of resources they offered for subsistence. It was the Teotihuacanos who introduced customs and rites such as the Mesoamerican ballgame and the cult of Quetzalcóatl and Tláloc.
When Teotihuacan fell, there was a Toltec invasion of Calixtlahuaca. The Toltecs were then supplanted by the Matlatzincas, who called themselves the Nepinthathuhui (“those from the land of maize”). Their zenith lasted between 1116 and 1476.
Between 1472 to 1476, the Mexicas (together with Axayácatl and the Triple Alliance) conquered the Matlatzincas under the command of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin and imposed the payment of tribute, as shown in the Tribute Roll.
The Calixtlahuaca-San Marcos Archeological Monument Zone is distributed along a segment of Cerro Tenismó. Monuments 13, 14 and 15, which are not open to the public, are located on the hilltop. Monuments 5 and 6 (South and West monuments) stand halfway up the hillside. These form the group known as El Panteón ("The Cemetery"). Meanwhile, monuments 4 and 7, together with the tzompantli, make up the Tláloc group. Monuments 8, 9, 10 and 11 are not accessible to visitors. Finally, monuments 1 and 3 are located on the lower hillside, and groups 16 and 17 (Calmécac) are on the plain.
The building complexes located on the flank of Cerro Tenismó stand on terraces which were leveled out and then filled in and supported by thick retaining walls.
A tour of the monuments open to the public takes approximately two hours.
Olmec-influenced organized groups invaded in the Preclassic period (1000 BC to 150 AD). From 250 AD, the Teotihuacanos occupied the Toluca Valley and Calixtlahuaca, as well as other sites, owing to the diversity of resources they offered for subsistence. It was the Teotihuacanos who introduced customs and rites such as the Mesoamerican ballgame and the cult of Quetzalcóatl and Tláloc.
When Teotihuacan fell, there was a Toltec invasion of Calixtlahuaca. The Toltecs were then supplanted by the Matlatzincas, who called themselves the Nepinthathuhui (“those from the land of maize”). Their zenith lasted between 1116 and 1476.
Between 1472 to 1476, the Mexicas (together with Axayácatl and the Triple Alliance) conquered the Matlatzincas under the command of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin and imposed the payment of tribute, as shown in the Tribute Roll.
The Calixtlahuaca-San Marcos Archeological Monument Zone is distributed along a segment of Cerro Tenismó. Monuments 13, 14 and 15, which are not open to the public, are located on the hilltop. Monuments 5 and 6 (South and West monuments) stand halfway up the hillside. These form the group known as El Panteón ("The Cemetery"). Meanwhile, monuments 4 and 7, together with the tzompantli, make up the Tláloc group. Monuments 8, 9, 10 and 11 are not accessible to visitors. Finally, monuments 1 and 3 are located on the lower hillside, and groups 16 and 17 (Calmécac) are on the plain.
The building complexes located on the flank of Cerro Tenismó stand on terraces which were leveled out and then filled in and supported by thick retaining walls.
A tour of the monuments open to the public takes approximately two hours.
INAH-FN
People on the circular plinth at Calixtlahuaca
INAH-FN
General view of the Temple of Ehécatl in Calixtlahuaca
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Front view of the Temple of Ehécatl
INAH-FN
Plaza de Calixtlahuaca, partial view
Map
Did you know...
- The site retains traces of the various groups that lived there, such as Otomi, Teotihuacanos, Toltecs, Mazahuas, Matlatzincas and Nahuas.
- More than 50 petroglyphs have been found related to symbols of water, fire, wind, or referring to deities such as Ehécatl Quetzalcóatl.
An expert point of view
María del Carmen Carbajal Correa
Centro INAH Estado de México
Practical information
Temporarily closed
Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:30 hrs.
$75.00 pesos
La zona arqueológica de Calixtlahuaca se localiza en el poblado del mismo nombre, a 9 km al norte de Toluca, Estado de México, y a aproximadamente 74 kilómetros de la Ciudad de México.
From Mexico City, take the Mexico-Toluca highway, continue on highway 55 Toluca-Atlacomulco, and exit at km 3, heading west. Cross the town of Calixtlahuaca towards Tecaxic and follow the signs to the archeological zone, located in Cerro Tenismó.
Services
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+52 (722) 215 9560
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Responsable Académica
María del Carmen Carbajal Correa
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+52 (722) 213 9581
