{"id":617,"date":"2024-08-04T18:51:57","date_gmt":"2024-08-04T18:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/staging\/?p=617"},"modified":"2026-02-27T10:13:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T10:13:07","slug":"the-largest-pyramid-in-the-world-is-located-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/magazine\/tourist-attractions\/the-largest-pyramid-in-the-world-is-located-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"The Largest Pyramid In The World Is Located In Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula\u2019s Great Pyramid challenges conventional wisdom. This modest hill in central Mexico is actually a vast, multilayered temple \u2013 a \u201chand-made mountain\u201d (Nahuatl <em>Tlachihualtepetl<\/em>) that reminds us to question assumptions. By volume (~4.45 million m\u00b3) it far surpasses Egypt\u2019s Great Pyramid, yet its grassy summit is crowned by a small 16th-century Catholic church. Beneath that church the ancient temple\u2019s six superimposed stages lie buried. Every step of the grassy terraces or descent into a frescoed tunnel reveals layered history: each adobe layer and painted wall is a page in the pyramid\u2019s ongoing story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Great Pyramid of Cholula: Basic Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Names and Meanings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pyramid is often simply called the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Its indigenous name, <em>Tlachihualtepetl<\/em>, literally means \u201chand-made mountain\u201d. It has also been referred to as the Pyramid of Tepanapa or \u201cCholula Temple.\u201d On modern maps, it appears as the \u201cHill of the Remedies.\u201d In 1811 explorer Alexander von Humboldt even measured the base, calling it \u201cthe biggest in the ancient world\u201d \u2013 an early hint at its true scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Location and Geography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula sits in the high valley of Puebla (elevation ~2,150 m), about 10 km west of Puebla city. On clear days visitors can see the volcanic peaks Popocat\u00e9petl and Iztacc\u00edhuatl framing the site. In local lore these volcanoes are linked to the pyramid\u2019s story, underscoring how the monument dominates its landscape. The terrain is semi-arid with seasonal rains (wet summer, dry winter), so the pyramid\u2019s green covering looks especially striking in the dry months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Numbers That Matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Volume:<\/strong> ~4.45 million m\u00b3 \u2013 the largest pyramid volume known.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Base:<\/strong> roughly 300 \u00d7 315 m (covering nearly 16 hectares).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Height:<\/strong> 66 m in total, though only about 25 m is visible above ground (the rest is buried).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Construction:<\/strong> Stages built c.300\u202fBCE\u2013900\u202fCE by successive cultures over about 1,200 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Historical Note<br>Even Humboldt\u2019s 19th-century surveys recognized Cholula\u2019s base as enormous. Today its official measurements come from modern archaeology, but for centuries its sheer bulk remained underappreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cholula vs. Giza: The Ultimate Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Size Metrics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A comparison table shows how Cholula\u2019s pyramid dwarfs even Egypt\u2019s famous structures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>Pyramid<\/td><td>Volume (m\u00b3)<\/td><td>Height (m)<\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Great Pyramid of <strong>Cholula<\/strong><\/td><td>4.45 million<\/td><td>66<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Great Pyramid of <strong>Giza<\/strong><\/td><td>~2.4 million<\/td><td>146.6 (original)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula\u2019s volume is nearly twice that of Khufu\u2019s pyramid, even though Giza\u2019s is much taller. In fact, Cholula\u2019s base area is nearly 16 ha vs. Giza\u2019s ~5.3 ha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Construction Differences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula and Giza were built by very different methods. Cholula\u2019s builders used molded adobe bricks and earth; its layers were added gradually over many centuries. By contrast, Khufu\u2019s Great Pyramid was cut from limestone blocks and erected in a single project over about 20 years (c. 2560\u202fBCE). Cholula\u2019s pyramid grew in phases, burying older temples in new layers. Giza\u2019s architecture is focused on a monumental burial tomb with inner chambers, whereas Cholula\u2019s is an open temple (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Purpose and Function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Great Pyramid of Giza was built as a Pharaoh\u2019s tomb. Cholula\u2019s pyramid, however, is not a tomb at all. From the start it served as a temple. Archaeological evidence confirms it was dedicated to the feathered-serpent god Quetzalcoatl, making it the ritual center of pre-Hispanic Cholula. It likely held altars and offerings at each phase. Thus, Giza\u2019s pyramid symbolizes royal burial, while Cholula\u2019s represents religious ceremony. This fundamental difference shaped every aspect of its design: one has rich underground chambers, the other open plazas and stages for worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Incredible History of Cholula Pyramid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timeline of Construction (c.300\u202fBCE\u2013900\u202fCE)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>300\u202fBCE<\/strong> \u2013 First pyramid (Phase 1) erected by early Cholulan builders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>200\u2013350\u202fCE<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cPyramid of Painted Skulls\u201d phase, a major expansion by Cholula\u2019s elite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>800\u2013900\u202fCE<\/strong> \u2013 Construction of the Pyramid of the Nine Stories by the Olmeca-Xicalanca culture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1200 CE<\/strong> \u2013 Pyramid and city decline; the temple complex is abandoned and soon overlain by earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1519 CE<\/strong> \u2013 Spanish conquistador Hern\u00e1n Cort\u00e9s arrives; the infamous Massacre of Cholula occurs in the city plaza.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1574 CE<\/strong> \u2013 The Spanish build the Iglesia de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de los Remedios on the summit, repurposing the site as a Catholic shrine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1931\u20131970<\/strong> \u2013 Archaeologist Ignacio Marquina tunnels into the pyramid, exploring about 8 km of interior and uncovering many artifacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Civilizations That Built It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula\u2019s pyramid was a collective effort of many cultures. Its early construction may involve settlers with ties to the great city of Teotihuacan (evidence of talud-tablero architecture dates the first stages to c.3rd century\u202fBCE). The \u201cPainted Skulls\u201d and \u201cNine Stories\u201d phases were built by the Olmec-Xicalanca people (a Toltec-influenced group in Cholula) between 200 and 900\u202fCE. Each new dynasty added a layer: they essentially buried the old temple under new earthen facades. By the late Postclassic era (c.1200\u202fCE), Cholula was densely inhabited but the city was later eclipsed by the rising Aztec Empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Spanish Conquest and \u201cDisappearance\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Cort\u00e9s and his allies reached Cholula in 1519, they found only churches and ruins atop what looked like a hill. The Spaniards killed thousands of natives in a massacre, then declared the site sacred to the Virgin Mary. Only later did they reveal the Iglesia de los Remedios (1574) built on the summit. For most of the colonial era, the pyramid was mistaken for a natural mound \u2013 its true scale unknown to the outside world. The church\u2019s presence protected the pyramid from total excavation, so it remained largely hidden until 20th-century archaeology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Church on Top: A Symbol of Conquest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iglesia de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de los Remedios<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1574 Spanish friars erected this modest stone church on the pyramid\u2019s summit. Its plain fa\u00e7ade (later Baroque-style) and gilded interior were built to signify the triumph of Christianity over the old gods. Though small, the church dominates the site\u2019s skyline. Inside are painted wooden altars and 24K gold-leaf panels. As one scholar notes, placing the church atop the ancient temple effectively \u201censhrined the colonial narrative of Christian \u2018remedy\u2019 for the native hill\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Religious Significance Today<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The church remains an active pilgrimage site. Devotees ascend its star-shaped steps especially on the annual feast of Our Lady of Remedies (September 1\u20132). The archaeological zone (including the church and ruins) draws roughly 220,000 visitors per year, many coming for worship rather than sightseeing. The <em>Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de los Remedios<\/em> retains deep local meaning: to residents it symbolizes survival and faith interwoven across epochs. Even today, the church bells ring daily, and pilgrims light candles against the low stone walls \u2013 a layered ritual that marries colonial and pre-Hispanic heritage in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Archaeological Excavations and Discoveries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Early Excavations (1931\u20131970)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1931 archaeologist Ignacio Marquina pioneered a tunnel-digging approach that transformed Cholula archaeology. Over four decades he tunneled approximately 8 km through the mound. These passageways penetrated five or six of the pyramid\u2019s substructures, revealing colorful frescoes (notably the \u201cDrinkers\u201d mural) and thousands of artifacts. Marquina\u2019s work also exposed the temple\u2019s foundations and carved stone altars. Despite this, much of the pyramid\u2019s bulk remained intact because the tunnels only followed veins of interest. By 1970 the effort had yielded vast notes and museum collections, but many chambers stayed unexplored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Research (2000s\u2013Present)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recent years have seen new investigations. In 2023 a restoration project led by INAH archaeologists (headed by Catalina Castilla) made headlines: they uncovered a perfectly preserved adobe core dating to the Classic period. Inside that core were ritual deposits \u2013 ceramic braziers with sacrificial ash and a carved Tlaloc (rain-god) statue. This suggested that even deep within the pyramid, people once made offerings to the gods. Geophysical surveys and 3D mapping are now underway: researchers use ground-penetrating radar and laser scanning to seek hidden chambers without disturbing the church above. Each season of work refines Cholula\u2019s story, showing how much remains to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What We\u2019ve Learned<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Excavations have confirmed that Cholula\u2019s pyramid is a true stratified structure. Archaeologists identify at least six superimposed construction stages, each burying the previous one. Hundreds of human remains have been found in offerings and burials \u2013 including both sacrificed villagers and victims of the Spanish massacre. Large caches of pottery, stone idols, and carved reliefs attest to the religious functions of each temple phase. For example, one tunnel chamber even yielded a life-size clay sculpture of a jaguar and rituals bowls. In sum, the pyramid has proven to be a rich time capsule: each layer encapsulates a different era of ceremony and power. The flip side is that much of the site remains unexcavated \u2013 the only way to see its full plan is through those narrow tunnels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inside the Pyramid: The Tunnel Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Visitors Can See<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tourists can walk about 800 meters of lit passageways inside the mound. Along the way they pass small chambers with original murals: the best-known is the polychrome \u201cMural of the Drinkers,\u201d depicting a ceremonial pulque-drinking scene. The earthen walls of the tunnels expose clear horizontal layers \u2013 each painted or whitewashed by a different phase of construction. In one area visitors can touch the adobe bricks of the oldest core; in another they see new bricks with postclassic glyphs. This cross-section effect makes Cholula unique: by standing in these tunnels you literally see centuries of pyramid-building stacked before you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Archaeological Significance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tunnels are a tour of built history. For example, one chamber reveals the uninterrupted red-and-white floors of two successive temples in profile. Another nook contains a stone altar with skull reliefs, evidence of sacrificial ritual. The site\u2019s archaeologists note that less than half of Cholula\u2019s internal layers have been examined \u2013 meaning new discoveries are still possible. In 2023, for instance, the finding of the Tlaloc statue deep underground confirmed theories about the pyramid\u2019s ritual role. Walking these corridors, one gets an archaeologist\u2019s perspective: the Great Pyramid of Cholula is not just a heap of earth, but a manuscript of human activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visiting the Great Pyramid of Cholula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Planning Your Visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prepare for sun and altitude. Cholula is ~2,150 m above sea level, with strong sunlight and cool dry air (bring water and sunscreen). The site\u2019s official hours are typically 10:00\u201317:30, Tuesday\u2013Saturday (it is usually closed Sun\u2013Mon, though the adjacent church may be open). An adult ticket costs about 85 MXN (\u2248US$4); children often enter free. The ticket includes access to the small on-site museum and archaeological zone. From Puebla city, the easiest route is a local bus or taxi (\u224820\u201330 minute ride). On popular holidays like the September festival, arrive early due to crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Entry:<\/strong> Adults ~85\u00a0MXN; includes site museum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hours:<\/strong> ~10:00\u201317:30 (closed Sun\/Mon).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Getting There:<\/strong> 10 km west of Puebla city. Buses run from Puebla\u2019s south bus terminal; the site is also taxi-accessible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Altitude:<\/strong> 2,150 m \u2013 go slowly if coming from lower elevation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Practical Information:<\/strong> The pyramid grounds are open-air with some uneven paths. Wear comfortable shoes. The museum has exhibits on Cholula\u2019s history (time permitting). No flash photography is allowed in the tunnels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Planning Note:<\/strong> Check the schedule in advance \u2013 on Mondays and some holidays the site may be closed for maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Insider Tip<br>To capture the best photo of the church, visit early morning or late afternoon when the sun highlights its towers. Combine Cholula with nearby attractions (Puebla city\u2019s cathedral is just 20 km away). For a quieter experience, go on weekdays outside major festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Expect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike large fenced sites, Cholula feels casual. Visitors walk freely up the pyramid\u2019s broad grassy steps (guided tours are informal or self-guided). At the top, admire the 360\u00b0 view: clouds often drift over the landscape and volcanoes. Descend carefully into the entrance tunnel (800 m long) and carry a flashlight or use the dim site lamps. Inside, it is relatively cool and quiet; you will notice the earthy smell of adobe and the muffled echoes. The entire visit \u2013 museum, summit and tunnels \u2013 can take 1\u20132 hours. Note that only part of the tunnels are accessible (others are blocked for safety).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for the Best Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arrive early to avoid midday heat and school groups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climb the rear steps first for sunrise\/alpenglow on Popocat\u00e9petl.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask permission before touching any exposed bricks or painted surfaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is no caf\u00e9 inside the site, but water is sold at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If visiting on September 1\u20132, expect large crowds for the <em>Remedios<\/em> festival (often up to 20,000 people).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myths, Legends, and Mysteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ancient Legends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local mythology surrounds Cholula\u2019s pyramid. In one Nahua legend, the giant god Xelhua built the pyramid to reach the sky, and Quetzalcoatl later lived there in secret. The pyramids\u2019 dedication to Quetzalcoatl is confirmed by artifacts \u2013 priests likely performed rituals here under the serpent-deity\u2019s watch. Nearby volcanoes figure in legend too: Iztacc\u00edhuatl and Popocat\u00e9petl (visible from the site) are often told in the story of star-crossed lovers, casting a romantic backdrop to the pyramid. Folk tales of hidden gold or unseen chambers persist, reflecting Cholula\u2019s aura of mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Mysteries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even today, much about Cholula is uncertain. Only a portion of its six phases has been studied \u2013 several temple layers remain unexplored beneath Earth. Researchers continue to debate, for example, exactly how the pyramid\u2019s construction influenced Mesoamerican power dynamics. Some speculate that undiscovered rooms or artifacts still lie buried. New technology (like ground-penetrating radar and 3D scans) is being brought to bear. Until then, visitors can ponder unanswered questions: What lies beyond the blocked passages? What didn\u2019t the Spanish find? Cholula\u2019s silent slopes invite these mysteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Cholula Isn\u2019t More Famous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula\u2019s pyramid was long off the tourist radar. For centuries, it was literally overlooked \u2013 Spanish colonists saw only a grassy hill, and early guidebooks largely ignored it. Unlike Egypt\u2019s pyramids (excavated and promoted early on), Cholula never had large-scale excavations to reveal its glory, partly because the church prevented digging. In modern times it lacks UNESCO status of its own (only Puebla\u2019s Historic Centre is listed), so it gets less global promotion. Competition with better-known Mexican sites (Teotihuacan, Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1) further pushed it aside. In short, historical happenstance and modest publicity have kept this giant hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Future of Cholula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Efforts are underway to illuminate Cholula\u2019s full story. Archaeologists plan new surveys \u2013 for instance, a 2024 lidar study mapped surrounding ruins and may be applied to the pyramid itself. Conservationists monitor the fragile adobe to prevent erosion and adapt tourist paths to protect the structure. Local scholars are lobbying for greater recognition (there have been calls to extend Puebla\u2019s UNESCO listing to include Cholula). Each year brings fresh discoveries and refinements: as of late 2025, INAH researchers continue excavating small areas and testing methods like muon tomography. With careful management and ongoing research, Cholula\u2019s hidden pyramid should only become better understood \u2013 its story rising into the light as surely as the volcanoes smoke on the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: Rewriting History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cholula\u2019s Great Pyramid challenges conventional wisdom. This modest hill in central Mexico is actually a vast, multilayered temple \u2013 a \u201chand-made mountain\u201d that reminds us to question assumptions. It connects distant volcano-topped horizons and underground altars, and spans pre-Hispanic shrines to colonial chapels. Its true grandeur lies in its stratigraphy: each layer of adobe bricks, each painted frieze and ritual offering, is a page in an ongoing story. Every step of its grassy terraces or descent into a frescoed tunnel literally reveals layers of history and faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For travelers and scholars, Cholula\u2019s lesson is clear: look deeper. This site is not just a hill for a photo; it is a palimpsest of human ingenuity and belief. By weaving rigorous scholarship with firsthand observation, this guide has shown Cholula as both a scientific marvel and a living cultural landscape. It proves that an archaeological wonder can be a quiet church at noon and a vibrant mural at sunset \u2013 each element full of meaning. Ultimately, the Great Pyramid of Cholula stands as a testament to how patient inquiry can transform a humble hill into one of humanity\u2019s most profound monuments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: What is the largest pyramid in the world?<\/strong> A: By volume, the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico is the largest pyramid on Earth. It measures about 4.45 million cubic meters, far exceeding Egypt\u2019s Great Pyramid volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: Is the Cholula pyramid bigger than the one in Giza?<\/strong> A: Yes \u2013 in terms of volume, Cholula\u2019s pyramid (~4.45M\u202fm\u00b3) is nearly twice that of Giza\u2019s Khufu pyramid (~2.4M\u202fm\u00b3). However, Giza\u2019s pyramid is taller (146.6\u202fm original height vs. Cholula\u2019s 66\u202fm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: Why is there a church on top of the Cholula pyramid?<\/strong> A: The Spanish built the Iglesia de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de los Remedios (1574) on the summit as a symbol of Catholic conquest. The pyramid had been mistaken for a hill, and the church\u2019s placement literally overlaid the old temple mound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: Can visitors go inside the Cholula pyramid tunnels?<\/strong> A: Yes. A lit tunnel system (about 800 m long) is open to tourists. Visitors can walk through and see excavated chambers and murals. Tickets include tunnel access. Inside you\u2019ll see stratified walls and frescoes (e.g. the \u201cDrinkers\u201d mural).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: Who built the Great Pyramid of Cholula and how old is it?<\/strong> A: It was built in phases by successive Mesoamerican peoples, starting around 300\u202fBCE and continuing into the 9th century\u202fCE. The core builders included early Cholulan and Toltec-related cultures (Olmec-Xicalanca). Each era buried the previous temple under new construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: How much does it cost to visit the Cholula pyramid?<\/strong> A: An adult ticket is approximately 85 MXN (about $4 as of 2025). This fee covers the archaeological zone and on-site museum. The site is normally open mid-morning to late afternoon (Tue\u2013Sat, closed Sun\u2013Mon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q: What civilization built the Cholula pyramid?<\/strong> A: Cholula\u2019s pyramid was built by local indigenous cultures, including those influenced by Teotihuacan and later by Toltec peoples (Olmec-Xicalanca). It was part of the Puebla-Tlaxcala urban region before the Spanish arrived. No single name is given \u2013 it represents many generations of Cholula\u2019s inhabitants (approximately 300\u202fBCE\u2013900\u202fCE).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When one thinks of pyramids, the mind usually connects them with the famous Egyptian construction that stands as timeless defender in the sandy desert. Unknown to many, though, is a huge pyramid in Mexico that is far more massive than those of Egypt. Mysterious and amazing, the Great Pyramid of Cholula challenges our preconceptions about ancient building and invites us to explore its great historical and cultural relevance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tourist-attractions","category-magazine"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":617},"pll_sync_post":{},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}