Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Archaeological Sites in Chiapas
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Arqueología Chihuahua
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Cultural Heritage registered in 1992 on the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
El Tajin flourished between 800 and 1150 A.D. and became the most important centre in north-east Mesoamerica after the fall of the Teotihuacan Empire. After 1150 A.D. the site was abandoned because of a big flood, then it was partly destroyed when the region came under the rule of the Aztec empire.
Its cultural influence spread throughout the Gulf region, also penetrating the Mayan region and the highlands of central Mexico.
The site has a unique beauty and well-preserved buildings. The architecture is characterized by elaborate carved reliefs on the columns and frieze, also the buildings have a rich decoration of key-patterns, fretworks, niches, cornices, wall paintings and low reliefs, some of them with important information about the daily life and the religious beliefs.
El Tajín
Must see Buildings
The site covers about 60 hectares (146 acres) and the main buildings mirrors the skyline of the surrounding hills. It is divided in two areas, the oldest in the south and the newest, known as Tajin Chico, in the northern part of the settlement. e incluye 168 estructuras como altares, juegos de pelota, templos, etc. Los edificios principales se corresponden con el horizonte de las colinas circundantes. Se divide en dos áreas, la más antigua del sur y la más nueva, conocida como Tajín Chico, en la parte norte del asentamiento.
Pirámide de los Nichos (Pyramid of the Niches)
n the first group most of the plazas are rectangular, and is dominated by the Pyramid of the Niches, a six-tiered pyramid, with each tier featuring rows of symmetrically arranged square niches (each 60 cms deep) with a special astronomical and symbolic significance, believed to have been used as a solar calendar. The pyramid is 20 m high and each side is 26 m wide. A richly decorated stairway leads to a small structure on the top platform. At the base of the pyramid a stela depicting a standing ruler figure in relief was discovered. The pyramid is flanked by two smaller structures named Building 2 and Building 4.
Complejo Tajín Chico (Complex)
The complex was constructed on an artificial moud 7 m high and probably was used as a residential area for the city's ruling classes. In this group the plazas are either trapezoidal or in the form of a Greek fret.
Many of the buildings in this area display geometric stone mosaic patterns or greeks. Especially noteworthy is Building A, belived to have been a palace, is the most richly decorated building in the site with unusual carvings and well-preserved paintwork; it also has smaller ball courts at each of its four corners and a Mayan style arch at the southern access.
Grupo de Columnas (Group of Columns)
Above Tajin Chico is the Group of Columns, named that way for the two piramidal structures with a pórtico supported by columns richly decorated with relif sculptures which narrate scenes from the life of probably El Tajin’s last ruler, 13 Rabbit.
Juegos de Pelota (Ball Game Courts)
Twenty-one ballgame courts have so far been found at El Tajín, an unusually high number. The south ballcourt is of particular interest due to the six relief carvings on its walls, depicting deities, the cosmos and ball players.
El Tajín Site Museum
The museum has two rooms. The first shows several sculptures of stone and paste of lime and sand, models of the entire archeological area including the palace of the columns.
The second narrates the daily life and cosmogony of this culture by exhibiting a set of household utensils, human burials and wall painting where you can understand a little more about the Totonac culture. In this last room you can also admire reconstructions of houses, the ceremonial center and explore the mysteries of the ball game.
Location
It is located on the José García Payón Road, 9 km from the center of Papantla de Olarte, Ver. It is easily reachable by frequent bus.
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs.
English 
Español de México 
