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Xochicalco Ruins
The Xochicalco archaeological site is located 38 Kms.to the south-west of Cuernavaca, Morelos, accessible via the Alpuyeca exit of tMexico-Acapulco Highway 95. It's position affords sweeping views of the valley below.
The name "Xochicalco" means "Place of Flowers".
Xochicalco was founded about 650 AD by the Olmeca-Xicallanca, a Mayan group of traders from Campeche, affording them an excellent position along some of the major trade routes. It thus constituted an important fortressed commercial and religious center in the era following the decline of the great Meso-American states.
The main fortress is perched 132 mts (430 ft) above the valley and is surrounded by terraces holding minor constructions and several ball courts. An underground solar observatory is one of the principal attractions for visitors to the site. As the sun passes through its zenith on May 14th and 15th and July 28th and 29th, a ray of sunlight passes through a narrow shaft in the ceiling of the observatory
The Quetzalcoatl pyramid, or Temple of the Feathered Serpent, features friezes depicting the Plumed Serpent coiling around the sides. This structure measures 21 by 19 meters at its base and 17 meters in height and is situated in what is known as Xochicalco's Acropolis.
In another construction which appears to be a ceremonial ramp and which is now protected by a canopy, there are over 250 stones carved with figures of snakes, birds and various other animals.
Below the main hill fortress are many terraced ridges holding
lesser structures that have not yet been excavated. The
view from the hilltop and pyramids to the surrounding valley
is spectacular.
Xochicalco's on-site museum offers an excellent collection of artifacts of the area.
The site is open to the public daily from 10 am until 5 pm.
