12 Mexico: Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours...

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it..." - George Santayana

(Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan)

Day 12: 30/06/25 (Monday)
Activity: Teotihuacan and Basilica Day Trip
Hotel: Hotel MX Lagunilla Mexico City

This morning we had breakfast at the hotel dining room. From the hotel we walked to the Palacio de Bellas Artes passing a few attractions around the way and observing the local scenes.

Today we joined the Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours where we are going to discover the magic of Teotihuacan and Basilica of Guadalupe with this Mexico City Tour. Then we will explore the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, then walk through the ancient ruins. Finally, visiting the stunning Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most important religious sites in Mexico.

Our first visit was to the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco was erected after the Conquest, in 1521. The victors chose the site where the Mexica had resisted military attacks for more than 80 days. When the conquistadors arrived at Tlatelolco, they destroyed the remains of the Mexica, aiming to erase all traces and legacies of such an important culture. 

Thus, the broken sculptures became part of the construction of the Church of Santiago Apóstol. Between 1536 and 1566, this building served as the Imperial College of the Holy Cross of Tlatelolco, where Friar Bernardino de Sahagún worked. In the 19th century, it was used as a military prison and remained so until the 20th century. In 1976, it was renovated and housed the Historical Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We drove to Teotihuacan, a vast Mexican archaeological complex northeast of Mexico City about forty kilometers northeast of Mexico City. Before we entered the complex, we visited the Obsidian Workshop where the original Mexican handicrafts and artworks are made. As an antiquity, obsidian was highly valued for its sharp edges, which made it ideal for creating tools, such as arrowheads, blades, and cutting edges. In Mexico, obsidian mirrors were believed to possess divination abilities, providing aview into the invisible realms. Obsidian sources in Mesoamerica are limited in number and distribution, and are restricted to the volcanic regions of the Sierra Madre Mountains as they run through Mexico and Guatemala.

 

Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre Columbian Americas, namely the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Running down the middle of the site, which was once a flourishing pre-Columbian city, is the Avenue of the Dead. It links the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, the latter two with panoramic views from their summits. Artifacts in the Museum of Teotihuacan Culture, on-site, include pottery and bones. Although close to Mexico City, Teotihuacan was not a Mexican or Aztec city, and it predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries.

We had lunch at the Tlacaelel Restaurant is Located in the heart of Teotihuacán de Arista. Restaurante Tlacaelel brings a passion to its cuisine that visitors don't find in many restaurants. No matter which dish is choosen, visitors won't be disappointed.. There was a buffet line available. Ala carte is also a good option. The pescados or fish options are good and tasty.

After lunch we drove back towards Mexico City to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe officially called Insigne y Nacional Basilica de Santa María de Guadalupe or the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is a basilica of the Catholic Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at the foot of the Hill of Tepeyac in the Gustavo A. Madero borough of Mexico City.. There was a mass taking place in the church when we weee there.

Back at the MX Lagunilla Hotel in Mexico City in the rain. We had Maggi dinner in our room. It's our final night here in Mexico City.. Well be flying out to Monterrey tomorrow.