Cuicuilco
Zona Arqueológica de Cuicuilco
A round Preclassic pyramid buried under lava from the Xitle volcano, one of the oldest city-state ruins in the Valley of Mexico.
Cuicuilco was an important Preclassic city-state in the Valley of Mexico. Around the 3rd century CE, the eruption of the nearby Xitle volcano buried the city under lava, forcing its residents to leave. The core remains are a circular stepped pyramid about 110 m in diameter and about 20 m high. This rare circular form stands out among Mesoamerican architecture, and black basalt lava landscapes can still be seen around it. From the top you can look out over the southern mountains. It is managed by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), admission is free, and it is closed on Mondays. It is near the intersection of Avenida Insurgentes Sur and the Periférico ring road. Take Metrobús Line 1 to Villa Olímpica station and walk from there. It can be combined with San Ángel and the university campus on the same day.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Estadio Azteca
- Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM)
- San Ángel
- Coyoacán
- Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
- Island of the Dolls
- Xochimilco
- Luis Barragán House and Studio