Highway to Heaven, the Route of the Gods
Imagine traveling to those primordial times when people held a different perception of nature; times when man had a closer relation with the elements and forces that surrounded him. Moon, sun, water, rain, thunder… all gods that needed to be indulged, delighted. To communicate with them, to have a strong relation with these forces was part of daily life for pre-Hispanic cultures.
Mexico’s past is rich in gods and myths. Today the archeological sites stand as enigmatic remains of a unique worldview. Today you have the chance to discover and learn about the Totonacas, the Mexicas and the Mayan; about their deities and sacred offerings through a journey of culture and mysticism, The Route of Gods. From the Gulf of Mexico all the way to the Pacific Ocean, there is a unique pathway of nature, ceremonial and sacred archeological sites and colonial past; a trail full of history.
The route covers Mexico City and the states of Tlaxcala, Puebla and Veracruz. Travelers will encounter in each of these places a series of World Heritage Sites that will take their breath away and transport them to other times.
Mexico City
The tour starts with one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world: Mexico City, known as the City of Palaces because of its splendid Historic Center, declared a World Heritage site in 1987. Here you can get a feeling for the co-existence of the pre-Hispanic era and colonial history. Just behind the Cathedral stands the Templo Mayor, a museum with the remains of the sacred city of Tenochtitlan where the Sun God of War and Tlaloc, the God of Rain, were worshiped.
Nearby, just 25 miles from Mexico, the path will lead you to one of the largest and most complex metropolises in pre-Colonial Mexico: Teotihuacan, where the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl stand as inexorable witnesses.
Tlaxcala
Continuing our trip, we arrive at Tlaxcala, capital of the state of the same name. This city is built on top of the ruins of ancient indigenous towns and has some notable religious and civic buildings, architectural treasures with astonishing facades and artistic interiors. In Tlaxcala’s environs, you’ll find archeological remains built in honor of the Wind, Fertility and War divinities such as: Cacaxtla, an archeological site with enigmatic scenes painted on the walls or Xochitecatl, a very close by ceremonial center built at the peak of a small inactive volcano.
Puebla
Next stop, Puebla, known as the City of Angels, is another World Heritage Site with some 5,000 colonial buildings, among them: convents, churches and squares all beautifully designed as though they were made by celestial hands. Just ten minutes from Puebla, in the town of Cholula, you will find one of the largest pyramids in the world, constructed in seven different phases and probably dedicated to the God of Rain.
Veracruz
Reaching the Gulf of Mexico, already in the state of Veracruz, the Route of Gods arrives in Tajin, a one of a kind ceremonial center characterized by intricate carved relief paintings on the columns and friezes erected by the Totonacas to honor the God of Thunder.
With September arriving, it is the perfect occasion to witness the profound knowledge that the pre-Hispanic civilizations held of nature and its phenomenon. September is a unique month to visit Chichen Itza and experience a singular spectacle: the “Feathered Serpent.” Every year, during the vernal equinox on March 21st and the autumnal equinox on September 21st, a serpent of light and shadow descends all the way down the main stairway of the Pyramid of Kukulkan, a monument believed to have been erected by the Mayans in favor of the God of the Sun.
This 21st of September is the first day of autumn and is a perfect excuse for a new beginning. Experience a rebirth and receive a shot of energy by being part of this exceptional event at Chichen Itza.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.mexicocity.gob.mx/
http://www.tlaxcala.gob.mx/
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/veracruz/veracruzindex.html
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