Site Museum Xochicalco
About This Museum
Perched high on a series of carefully terraced hills in Morelos, the Xochicalco site museum is your gateway to understanding the 'Place of the Flower House'. The air up here feels different, thick with the whispers of a powerful city that once dominated trade and politics after the fall of Teotihuacan. Walking through the sprawling ruins, you'll encounter one of Mesoamerica's most important astronomical observatories and a grand ball court where the sacred game was played. The museum itself doesn't just display artifacts; it tells the story of this UNESCO World Heritage site, connecting the dots between the objects and the monumental architecture just outside its doors.
Collection Highlights
Look for the intricately carved stelae that depict rulers and gods, and don't miss a scale model of the entire citadel that reveals its impressive urban planning. One of the most captivating exhibits explores the mysterious Temple of the Feathered Serpent, showcasing fragments of its stunning reliefs that show clear influences from both Maya and Teotihuacan cultures.
Visitor Information
Wear good shoes and a hat—exploring this vast site involves a fair bit of walking under the open sun. It's located about an hour and a half south of Mexico City by car, making it a perfect day trip. The site is generally less crowded in the mornings during the week.
Architecture & Building
The modern museum building is low-slung and unimposing, built with local stone that allows it to blend seamlessly into the rugged landscape, almost like an extension of the ancient ruins themselves.
