Templo Mayor Museum

This page is also availabel in: Spanish

 

The Templo Mayor Museum in Mexico City

The Templo Mayor Museum, in Mexico City’s Zocalo, is one of the museums with greatest impact in Mexico City. Inaugurated in 1987, once the rescue work was completed directed by archaeologist Roberto Matos Moctezuma, from 1978 to 1982.

The accidental finding of the monolith with the sculpted image of the Mexica lunar goddess Coyolxauhqui, was the origin of this archaeological project. The finding of Coyolxauhqui, called the adorer of heads, made possible the rescue of many archaeological jewels corresponding to the main temple (thus called Templo Mayor) of the ancient city of the Mexica people.

Said pieces add up to seven thousand, and are on show now in all their splendor throughout eight rooms. Including ritual objects and religious offerings such as masks, gold and silver pieces, carved stone, polychrome vessels, earthen and stone carved objects.

The Templo Mayor Museum, the history of the Mexica people

The building, with its large glass walls, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. During an exciting tour of this area, visitors can to follow a synthesis of the history of the Mexica people, from their origins to the empire consolidation in the Valley of Mexico. This includes all their cultural expressions, commerce and social and political organization.

 

Among the most spectacular pieces are the stones representing the lunar goddess Coyolxauhqui and the earth goddess, Tlaltecuhtli.

This museum is very close to other places of interest, such as the National Palace, the National Museum of Cultures, the Jose Luis Cuevas Museum, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the San Carlos Academy of Art, among others.

Visit The Museo del Templo Mayor (The Great Temple Museum) on Seminario Street # 8, in the Historic Downtown of Mexico. Open Tuesday – Sunday 9:00-17:00 hr. This includes access to the museum and the archaeological zone.