Tlaxcala, México.
Travel & Tour
Pictures, Photos, Images, & Reviews.
George & Eve DeLange
Google Map To Xochitécatl Archaeological Ruins In Tlaxcala, Mexico.
Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books Or Videos About Touring In Mexico. No Obligation!
Xochitécatl "Pyramid of the Flowers" Located In The Main Plaza
Sits Upon Layered Platforms, West Side Looking East
Xochitécatl Archaeological Ruins, Tlaxcala, Mexico:
It is easy to get lost going to the Xochitecatl Archaeological Ruins. So we will describe two ways to get there.
You must take the toll highway which goes from Mexico City to Puebla, taking the detour in the town of San Martín Texmelucan and then going through the villages of Villa Alta, San Mateo Ayecac, Tepetitla and San José Atoyatenco, where you must turn left.
If coming from the city of Tlaxcala you must take the federal road turning left through Santa Anita Nopalucan or through the road to Santa María Nativitas, going through the town of San Miguel Xochitecatitla to the right.
The ceremonial center is made up by two plazas. The Pyramid of the Flowers, the Building of the Serpent and the Platform of Volcanoes are located in the main plaza, while the Building of the Spiral is located in the second plaza. The ceremonial center was abandoned due to the second to last eruption of Popocatépetl volcano, about 150 A.D. Years later, during the Late Classic period, this center was occupied once more by the inhabitants of Cacaxtla, but only the Building of the Flowers and the Platform of Volcanoes were inhabited again, while the rest of the buildings remained abandoned.
Pyramid of the Flowers (E1). Built during the Formative period, this structure shows a complete chronology right to the colonial period.
This structure has a platform measuring 100 by 140 meters, similar to that of Teotihuacan’s Pyramid of the Moon.
Two monolithic basins were placed in front of the building’s staircase.
Building of the Serpent (E2). It was built during the Formative period (700 B.C.) and shows several different building stages. At first, the square structure had as only access a staircase on the north side. Later on, a platform was added to the east, covering the staircase, and therefore during the last stage a volcanic rock (tepetate) staircase was added, which was probably covered with mud. A monolithic basin was found on top; it is 1.3 meters in diameter and 60 centimeters high.
Building of the Spiral (E3). Its construction began in the Middle Formative period (700 B.C.), and is located west of the ceremonial centre. It is a circular building adapted to the natural topography of the land. Its west façade has more levels than the east one. The building’s core is made up of volcanic ash. No inner structures nor access staircases were found during excavation, which lead to the idea that any ascent was by walking around the different levels as if in spiral. This building was probably dedicated to the observation of stars and to the wind god Ehécatl.
Platform of the Volcanoes (E4). This building is located in the center of the main plaza. Its construction began during the Middle Formative Period with a north-south orientation.
Cacaxtla is located very close to Xochitecatl.
The museum, and restrooms are clean. We were here on January 16, 2004 at about 2:00PM.
Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books Or Videos About Touring In Mexico. No Obligation!
The Mexico City International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México or AICM), also called Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA: MEX, ICAO: MMMX) is the major commercial airport that serves Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is also Mexico's and Latin America's busiest airport!
The Hermanos Serdán International Airport (IATA: PBC, ICAO: MMPB) is the international airport located near Puebla, Puebla, Mexico. It handles national air traffic for the city of Puebla.
It also serves as an alternate airport for Mexico City, being part of the metropolitan airport group for the Mexican capital, comprising the airports of Mexico City, Toluca, Cuernavaca and Querétaro.
To visit this area we would suggest flying into either Mexico City or Puebla and then staying at a hotel of your choice.
There are many very good hotels and motels in the area, and if you need a place to stay; Priceline.com can arrange that for you. In fact, we think they are the best way to do it!
We have personally, booked flights, hotels, and vacations, through Priceline.com and we can highly recommend them. Their website is very easy to use!
We have some links to Priceline.com on this page, since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car.
We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active.
We also have links on this page, that will connect you with several of the best hotels in Mexico City. Hotels that we have personally used!
We could, also suggest getting a hotel, and then letting them arrange for either a car, or a tour of Mexico City. If you call their Concierge Services, ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you.
We have used this method, many times, when traveling in Mexico. We have found it to be safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way!
The "Spiral Pyramid"
Dedicated To
Star Observation "Spiral Pyramid,"
Structure E 3
Also Dedicated To
Wind God Ehécatl. 
George DeLange Says
It's A Long Way Up
The Rebar Stairs! "Spiral Pyramid."
Cross On Top
Quite A View Also! 
"Spiral Pyramid,"
Seen From
"Pyramid of the Flowers" "Platform Of
The Volcanoes.
"Seen From
"Pyramid of the Flowers." 
West Side,
"Pyramid of the Flowers."
Structure E 1. East Side
"Pyramid of the Flowers." 
Stairway Up
"Pyramid of the Flowers." Two Monolithic Basins
Front Of Staircase. 
Monolithic Basins
May have Been
Filled With Water,
To Observe Stars
Reflected Off
Water At Night. When This Was
First Discovered
It Contained
A Sacrifice Sculpture.
Of A Skinless Female Figure 
This Basin Is 1.7
Meters In Diameter.
It Shows A
Prehispanic Repair. Four Sculptures Were
Inside As Offerings.
One A Toad,
Another A Serpent
Two Of
Human Head Forms. 
Altar North Of Stairway Pilars And Lintels
Seen At
Top Of "Pyramid
of the Flowers" 
Pillars And Lintels
Seen At
Top Of "Pyramid
of the Flowers." Pilars And Lintels
Seen At
Top Of "Pyramid
of the Flowers" 
Cacaxtla Structure B,
West Side
Looking East. Cacaxtla Structure B,
West Side
Looking East 2.5X
Telephoto View. 
Building of the
Serpent E 2. Building of the
Serpent E 2. 
"Platform Of The Volcanoes." Christmas Decoration
Half Way Between
Xochitécatl And Cacaxtla.
Here Are Some Links To The Very Best & Most Popular Items Sold On Amazon.Com
To Learn More! Click The Links Below. No Obligation, Of Course!
We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!
Major Ruins Near Puebla!
|
| Xochitécatl "Pyramid of the Flowers" Located In The Main Plaza Sits Upon Layered Platforms, West Side Looking East |
|---|
Xochitécatl Archaeological Ruins, Tlaxcala, Mexico: It is easy to get lost going to the Xochitecatl Archaeological Ruins. So we will describe two ways to get there. You must take the toll highway which goes from Mexico City to Puebla, taking the detour in the town of San Martín Texmelucan and then going through the villages of Villa Alta, San Mateo Ayecac, Tepetitla and San José Atoyatenco, where you must turn left. If coming from the city of Tlaxcala you must take the federal road turning left through Santa Anita Nopalucan or through the road to Santa María Nativitas, going through the town of San Miguel Xochitecatitla to the right. The ceremonial center is made up by two plazas. The Pyramid of the Flowers, the Building of the Serpent and the Platform of Volcanoes are located in the main plaza, while the Building of the Spiral is located in the second plaza. The ceremonial center was abandoned due to the second to last eruption of Popocatépetl volcano, about 150 A.D. Years later, during the Late Classic period, this center was occupied once more by the inhabitants of Cacaxtla, but only the Building of the Flowers and the Platform of Volcanoes were inhabited again, while the rest of the buildings remained abandoned. Pyramid of the Flowers (E1). Built during the Formative period, this structure shows a complete chronology right to the colonial period. This structure has a platform measuring 100 by 140 meters, similar to that of Teotihuacan’s Pyramid of the Moon. Two monolithic basins were placed in front of the building’s staircase. Building of the Serpent (E2). It was built during the Formative period (700 B.C.) and shows several different building stages. At first, the square structure had as only access a staircase on the north side. Later on, a platform was added to the east, covering the staircase, and therefore during the last stage a volcanic rock (tepetate) staircase was added, which was probably covered with mud. A monolithic basin was found on top; it is 1.3 meters in diameter and 60 centimeters high. Building of the Spiral (E3). Its construction began in the Middle Formative period (700 B.C.), and is located west of the ceremonial centre. It is a circular building adapted to the natural topography of the land. Its west façade has more levels than the east one. The building’s core is made up of volcanic ash. No inner structures nor access staircases were found during excavation, which lead to the idea that any ascent was by walking around the different levels as if in spiral. This building was probably dedicated to the observation of stars and to the wind god Ehécatl. Platform of the Volcanoes (E4). This building is located in the center of the main plaza. Its construction began during the Middle Formative Period with a north-south orientation. Cacaxtla is located very close to Xochitecatl. The museum, and restrooms are clean. We were here on January 16, 2004 at about 2:00PM.
|
Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.Com
For Books Or Videos About Touring In Mexico. No Obligation!
The Mexico City International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México or AICM), also called Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA: MEX, ICAO: MMMX) is the major commercial airport that serves Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is also Mexico's and Latin America's busiest airport!
The Hermanos Serdán International Airport (IATA: PBC, ICAO: MMPB) is the international airport located near Puebla, Puebla, Mexico. It handles national air traffic for the city of Puebla.
It also serves as an alternate airport for Mexico City, being part of the metropolitan airport group for the Mexican capital, comprising the airports of Mexico City, Toluca, Cuernavaca and Querétaro.
To visit this area we would suggest flying into either Mexico City or Puebla and then staying at a hotel of your choice.
There are many very good hotels and motels in the area, and if you need a place to stay; Priceline.com can arrange that for you. In fact, we think they are the best way to do it!
We have personally, booked flights, hotels, and vacations, through Priceline.com and we can highly recommend them. Their website is very easy to use!
We have some links to Priceline.com on this page, since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car.
We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active.
We also have links on this page, that will connect you with several of the best hotels in Mexico City. Hotels that we have personally used!
We could, also suggest getting a hotel, and then letting them arrange for either a car, or a tour of Mexico City. If you call their Concierge Services, ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you.
We have used this method, many times, when traveling in Mexico. We have found it to be safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way!
The "Spiral Pyramid"
Dedicated To
Star Observation "Spiral Pyramid,"
Structure E 3
Also Dedicated To
Wind God Ehécatl. George DeLange Says
It's A Long Way Up
The Rebar Stairs! "Spiral Pyramid."
Cross On Top
Quite A View Also! "Spiral Pyramid,"
Seen From
"Pyramid of the Flowers" "Platform Of
The Volcanoes.
"Seen From
"Pyramid of the Flowers." West Side,
"Pyramid of the Flowers."
Structure E 1. East Side
"Pyramid of the Flowers." Stairway Up
"Pyramid of the Flowers." Two Monolithic Basins
Front Of Staircase. Monolithic Basins
May have Been
Filled With Water,
To Observe Stars
Reflected Off
Water At Night. When This Was
First Discovered
It Contained
A Sacrifice Sculpture.
Of A Skinless Female Figure This Basin Is 1.7
Meters In Diameter.
It Shows A
Prehispanic Repair. Four Sculptures Were
Inside As Offerings.
One A Toad,
Another A Serpent
Two Of
Human Head Forms. Altar North Of Stairway Pilars And Lintels
Seen At
Top Of "Pyramid
of the Flowers" Pillars And Lintels
Seen At
Top Of "Pyramid
of the Flowers." Pilars And Lintels
Seen At
Top Of "Pyramid
of the Flowers" Cacaxtla Structure B,
West Side
Looking East. Cacaxtla Structure B,
West Side
Looking East 2.5X
Telephoto View. Building of the
Serpent E 2. Building of the
Serpent E 2. "Platform Of The Volcanoes." Christmas Decoration
Half Way Between
Xochitécatl And Cacaxtla.
Here Are Some Links To The Very Best & Most Popular Items Sold On Amazon.Com
To Learn More! Click The Links Below. No Obligation, Of Course!
We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!
Major Ruins Near Puebla!
The Mexico City International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México or AICM), also called Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA: MEX, ICAO: MMMX) is the major commercial airport that serves Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is also Mexico's and Latin America's busiest airport! The Hermanos Serdán International Airport (IATA: PBC, ICAO: MMPB) is the international airport located near Puebla, Puebla, Mexico. It handles national air traffic for the city of Puebla. It also serves as an alternate airport for Mexico City, being part of the metropolitan airport group for the Mexican capital, comprising the airports of Mexico City, Toluca, Cuernavaca and Querétaro.
To visit this area we would suggest flying into either Mexico City or Puebla and then staying at a hotel of your choice. There are many very good hotels and motels in the area, and if you need a place to stay; Priceline.com can arrange that for you. In fact, we think they are the best way to do it! We have personally, booked flights, hotels, and vacations, through Priceline.com and we can highly recommend them. Their website is very easy to use! We have some links to Priceline.com on this page, since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car. We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active. We also have links on this page, that will connect you with several of the best hotels in Mexico City. Hotels that we have personally used! We could, also suggest getting a hotel, and then letting them arrange for either a car, or a tour of Mexico City. If you call their Concierge Services, ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We have used this method, many times, when traveling in Mexico. We have found it to be safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way!
|
| |
| The "Spiral Pyramid" Dedicated To Star Observation | "Spiral Pyramid," Structure E 3 Also Dedicated To Wind God Ehécatl. |
|---|---|
| |
| George DeLange Says It's A Long Way Up The Rebar Stairs! | "Spiral Pyramid." Cross On Top Quite A View Also! |
| |
| "Spiral Pyramid," Seen From "Pyramid of the Flowers" | "Platform Of The Volcanoes. "Seen From "Pyramid of the Flowers." |
| |
| West Side, "Pyramid of the Flowers." Structure E 1. | East Side "Pyramid of the Flowers." |
| |
| Stairway Up "Pyramid of the Flowers." | Two Monolithic Basins Front Of Staircase. |
| |
| Monolithic Basins May have Been Filled With Water, To Observe Stars Reflected Off Water At Night. | When This Was First Discovered It Contained A Sacrifice Sculpture. Of A Skinless Female Figure |
| |
| This Basin Is 1.7 Meters In Diameter. It Shows A Prehispanic Repair. | Four Sculptures Were Inside As Offerings. One A Toad, Another A Serpent Two Of Human Head Forms. |
| |
| Altar North Of Stairway | Pilars And Lintels Seen At Top Of "Pyramid of the Flowers" |
| |
| Pillars And Lintels Seen At Top Of "Pyramid of the Flowers." | Pilars And Lintels Seen At Top Of "Pyramid of the Flowers" |
| |
| Cacaxtla Structure B, West Side Looking East. | Cacaxtla Structure B, West Side Looking East 2.5X Telephoto View. |
| |
| Building of the Serpent E 2. | Building of the Serpent E 2. |
| |
| "Platform Of The Volcanoes." | Christmas Decoration Half Way Between Xochitécatl And Cacaxtla. |
Here Are Some Links To The Very Best & Most Popular Items Sold On Amazon.Com
To Learn More! Click The Links Below. No Obligation, Of Course!
We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!
Major Ruins Near Puebla!