About Cholula

The oldest populated city in Mexico is beautiful Cholula. This important Mesoamerican marsh was founded around 100 A.C. and upon the arrival of the Spaniards in the XVI century was one of the main commercial centers of the zone. Worship center of god Quetzalcoatl, the vestiges of pre-Columbian society that once inhabited this great city show refined skills for producing polychrome ceramic objects, besides exhibiting in its ruins a complicated architecture that was outstanding in most of the era's social centers.

During the XIV and XV centuries, wars between the greatest landlords were prevalent in the entity. When the Spaniards arrived, Tenochtitlán controlled the State's Center and South, while Texcoco controlled the North. On their way to the great Tenochtitlán and in alliance with the Indians of Huejotzingo, Hernan Cortes reached Cholula in 1519 and carried out a great massacre.

Ironically named "“place of flee"” (Spanish meaning of the original name Chollollan), it has been occupied by humans for 2,500 years. Its first dwellers were Indians from the Olmec "– Xicalanc tribe, who were governed by the lords living in the Great Pyramid (abandoned around 700 "– 800 A.C for reasons unknown). Towards the XII century, a group of Toltec "– Chichimec Indians invaded the city and took control, respecting the existing social structure. The most notable change was in the spiritual level, since then becoming the venue of worship to god Quetzalcoatl and its religious preponderance was recognized by all others.

Despite modern history's attempt at burying its pre-Columbine past, currently decades of excavations have achieved to regain the origins of this important ceremonial and commercial center, discovering one of the largest Mesoamerican constructions of the Great Pyramid era, consisting of seven layers of superimposed buildings, it is assumed that different generations of dwellers added to the base construction.

Located in the archeological area of Puebla only 7 kilometers from the namesake capital, it is found immersed in a valley surrounded by volcanoes. Of very benevolent climate year round, rain season is between July and September.

Archeological excavations and research are still far from discovering the complete buried city; yet it is possible to visit the discovered archeological site and tour through ancient tunnels among wonderful murals and prehispanic constructions.

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