Iglesia Vieja, Tonalá, Ancient Mesoamerican archaeological site in Tonalá, Mexico.
The archaeological complex spans 70 hectares across three plateaus at 700 meters elevation in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountains, containing 73 primary structures.
Initially known as Ruinas de Tonalá, the settlement flourished from 400 BCE to 900 CE, serving as a strategic center between Maya territories and Oaxaca cultures.
The site features numerous stone monuments, including Altar 1 which displays a zoomorphic face resembling a turtle alongside three anthropomorphic faces.
Visitors can access the site daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM without entrance fee, reaching it via an 11-kilometer partially paved road from Tonalá.
The megalithic architecture incorporates massive granite blocks weighing up to 2 tons, with each structure designed differently to adapt to local terrain.
GPS coordinates: 16.12917,-93.74472
Latest update: March 8, 2025 20:42
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