Quintessential Teotihuacán & exploring CDMX Zocalo (Day5)
Taking a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán was one of the most breathtaking experiences of our trip last time and we wanted mom to experience it as well.We arrived early in the morning, before sunrise zipping through the empty highways in the wee hours of the morning. Being a wednesday , there seems to be only 6 balloons going up from this venue .It was a cloudy and foggy morning and with coffee in hand we watched the massive balloons inflate.
Once we lifted off, the ground slowly fell away, and the view became more and more magical. As the sun began to rise, its golden light filtered through the clouds and covered the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon in a soft hazy glow. The sprawling ruins of Teotihuacán, with its wide Avenue of the Dead stretching out between the pyramids, looked more mystical this time around due to the conditions. Floating peacefully in the balloon with the low clouds, we could see the entire layout of the city—something that’s hard to grasp when you’re walking on the ground. The symmetry of the pyramids, plazas, and temples was remarkable, a testament to the engineering and architectural prowess of the Teotihuacán civilization. It was incredible to imagine what life must have been like here thousands of years ago, with this city bustling with people, markets, and religious ceremonies. As our pilot took the balloon above the clouds it became completely quiet and serene. The silence up in the air was only interrupted by the occasional sound of the burner filling the balloon with more air. As we drifted, we could see other balloons floating gently all around us, adding to the dreamlike quality of the moment. After about 45 mins of soaring over the ancient city, our pilot expertly guided us down for a smooth landing. The experience always leaves us in awe—not only of the beauty of Teotihuacán but also of the incredible feeling of floating above such a significant historical site. The hot air balloon ride gives a unique and unforgettable perspective to one of Mexico’s most iconic landmarks. After the customary bubbly pop we went back to the pickup spot for some breakfast all the while being serenaded by a Mariachi Band. Next up was a visit to the actual Teotihuacan site.
On our last trip we entered through Gate #5 which is behind the Pyramid of the Sun and next to the Museum and walked around it to the Avenue of the Dead and towards The temple of the Moon and Palace of Quetzalpapálotl and back out of Gate #5 . An easier way would have been going out of Gate#3 which is near Palace of Quetzalpapálotl or out of Gate#2 which is on the other side of the Temple of the Sun or even Gate#4 which is closer to the Temple of the Moon. To get to the Temple of Quetzalcoatl ( which we could not visit last time as we had to rush for a lunch appointment)you have to keep walking straight on the Avenue of the Dead and then exit out of Gate#1. Armed with this experience from our last trip we went straight to Gate#1 and after paying the parking ticket and the entrance fee slowly started exploring the site.
The Temple of Quetzalcoatl also known as the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, is one of the most significant structures in the vast Teotihuacán archaeological site.As we walked toward the temple we noticed a big known as the Adosada platform located just in front of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, obscuring its view. This was built later on in the 4th century and was probably to reduce or reject the old gods , no one knows.There is still a lot of excavation going on on this platform and all around it. You can see the temple of the serpent from either side of this platform, but the best view is once you go over this platform and get to see the masterpiece face to face.The pyramid is considerably smaller than the more famous Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, but its intricate carvings and detailed stonework makes it a true masterpiece of ancient Mesoamerican architecture. The façade of the temple is adorned with rows of carved stone heads, each representing Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity, and Tlaloc, the rain god. These carvings, along with the serpent’s undulating bodies, give the temple a mystical and almost otherworldly feel.After having seen the colored replica of this temple in the museum before , we could only imagine how awe-inspiring this site must have been when it was the spiritual heart of the ancient city. The discovery of burial chambers within the structure was an astonishing find and was depicted in the Anthropology museum as well. Archaeologists found skeletons of individuals believed to have been sacrificial offerings, buried with precious artifacts like obsidian blades, jade, and shells. The temple’s location in the Ciudadela, a massive plaza that could hold thousands of people gives you a true sense of things that humans have already achieved before but is not easily known as history has always been written by the victors. As mom was getting tired we decided to go back to the city and explore the sites around Zocalo.
After reaching the hotel we had a quick coffee break and walked across the street to explore the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. Towering over the Zócalo, this structure is known for its intricate details of its Gothic,Baroque and Neoclassical façade. The cathedral, which took over 250 years to complete, reflects a blend of architectural styles, each telling a part of Mexico’s story from the Spanish conquest to the colonial era. We enter through the main facade and you are immediately greeted by the vastness of the space—high vaulted ceilings, beautifully carved altars, and massive pillars. As soon as you enter you face the Altar of Forgiveness, with Its golden Baroque details and an unusual Cristo Negro, or Black Christ/Jesus in front. To the left of this altar is the 18th-century Sagrario Metropolitano. Originally built to house the archives and vestments of the archbishop, it is now the city’s main parish church but it is undergoing support structure work. As the entire place is sinking.Built on the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlán, which itself was built on a lake, the cathedral is sinking due to the soft ground beneath it.A reminder of the unique challenges Mexico City faces as the entire city is built on a lakebed.
The choir is made of walnut,cedar and mahogany with intricate and exquisite carvings that lead to the main altar known as the Altar of the Kings or Altar de Los Reyes. The choir also has two of the largest 18th-century organs in the Americas; they are situated above the walls of the choir, on the epistle side (east) and the gospel side (west). The main altar is constructed in Mexican Baroque or Churrigueresque style and is flanked on one side with the Altar of the Divine Savior (Altar y retablo del Divino Salvador) and the entrance to the crypts of the Archbishops on the other. The crypts are a level down and can be visited but we did not explore them. Both sides of the church were flanked with numerous chapels , some very decorative and cordoned off for praying and some simple.
After a quick lunch at Zocalo Central’s cafe we went to see to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which was 10-15 mins away from our hotel.As we approached the building, the first thing that caught our eye was the magnificent white marble façade, glistening in the sunlight. The Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements of the exterior, crowned by the iconic orange-and-yellow glass dome sets it apart from any other building.Entering the palace felt like stepping into a world of elegance and artistic grandeur. The vast lobby was decorated with intricate murals, sweeping staircases, and gleaming bronze and marble details. The Palacio is a performing arts venue as well as an art museum, and its interiors are just as much a masterpiece as the performances that take place on its stages.We wanted to see the murals by renowned Mexican artists like Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo but public access was closed due to a show going on.One of the nostalgic sights around the area is the street vendors selling different types of corns.Whether it is roasted, boiled or charred and mixed in different types of sauce. We wanted to try some but we sadly strictly stayed away from street food for fear of Mantuzuma’s Revenge.
On our way back we passed by the Casa de los Azulejos. Known for its stunning exterior completely covered in Talavera tiles, this iconic 18th-century building is a perfect blend of Mexican and colonial architectural styles. As we approached, the blue and white tiles shimmered in the sunlight, creating a striking contrast against the bustling streets of the city’s historic center. It was impossible to pass by without stopping to admire the intricate designs that adorned the walls. We were not able to explore the inside but kept it for future travel along with having some food at the Sanborns restaurant, one of Mexico’s beloved chain dining spots.
Two other buildings on the way back with gorgeous front facades were the Citibanamex Culture Palace, Palacio de Iturbide and the Palacio de Mineria. We also could not resist trying some ice cream/sorbet from one of the most popular chains in Mexico , Santa Clara, a 100 year old company which has at least 160 different flavors. Soon after it was time to say goodbye to Mexico as we started our journey home.