Tourist Attraction in San Juan Teotihuacán:
Piramide del Sol de Teotihuacan

The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest building in Teotihuacan and one of the largest in Mesoamerica. Built along the so-called Via dei Morti, near the Pyramid of the Moon and the "Cittadella", at the foot of the Cerro Gordo massif, the Pyramid is part of the large complex in the heart of the city. The name "Pyramid of the Sun" was given by the Aztecs, who rediscovered the city of Teotihuacan, centuries after it was abandoned; the name with which it was known by the Teotihuacanos has not reached us. The pyramid was built in two phases: the first part was built around 100 AD, - the Pyramid was not much smaller than we see it now; the second phase of construction, at the beginning of the third century AD, brought it to its final dimensions of about 225 meters per side and 75 meters in height, making it the third largest pyramid in the world. although much lower than the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza (146 meters). During the second phase an altar was also erected on the top terrace of the pyramid, which did not reach us, and the leaning platform was built. Also in this period the Citadel and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent were built. Once the structure was finished, the builders finished the pyramid with lime plaster imported from the surrounding areas, on which they painted murals of brilliant colors representing jaguars, stars, rattlesnakes and other symbols of Mesoamerican cosmology. While the Pyramid has endured for centuries, the paintings and plaster have crumbled and are no longer visible today. The orientation of the structure can take on different anthropological meanings. The pyramid is oriented slightly to the north-west of the point where the sun sets two days a year, 12 August and 29 April, which represents about a year of Teotihuacan divinatory calendar. The 12th of August is significant, because it represented the beginning of the present era and was the beginning day, for the Maya, of their calendar (long count). Moreover many astrological events, important both in terms of agriculture and faith, could be observed from the pyramid. The pyramid was built on an artificial tunnel that led to a "cave" located six meters below the center of the structure. At first it was believed to be a natural lava tunnel and was identified as the possible mythical site of Chicomoztoc, from where humanity would have originated, according to Aztec mythology. More recent excavations have instead ascertained that the space is artificial and that it could have served as a royal tomb. Only a few objects have been found near the pyramid. Obsidian arrowheads and human figurines were discovered inside and similar objects were found near the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent and the Citadel. These objects could represent sacrificial victims. In addition, burial sites for children were discovered at the corners of the pyramid. It is believed that these burials derived from sacrificial rites dedicated to the construction of the pyramid. In December 2012 the body of a man buried in the Pyramid of the Moon was found. Apparently the man seems to have been buried alive along with artistic objects, jewels and sacrifices for the gods. Text processing: Giovambattista Spagnuolo (Myooni)

Attractions in San Juan Teotihuacán