Archaeological site of Mixcoac

The Archaeological site of Mixcoac is an ancient complex in Mexico City with a central platform, ceremonial plaza, and pyramid dedicated to the deity Mixcóatl. The ruins sit near the Anillo Periférico, the city's main ring road, within an urban neighborhood.

The site has been inhabited since around 400 AD during the Teotihuacan period and remained occupied through Aztec times until the Spanish conquest in 1521. This extended settlement history reveals the location's lasting importance to multiple cultures across more than a thousand years.

The name Mixcoac comes from Nahuatl and means "place of the cloud snake," linking the site to Mixcóatl, a hunting deity central to local beliefs. Visitors can see this spiritual connection reflected in the carvings and symbols scattered throughout the complex.

The site is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM with free entry and is managed by the National Institute of Anthropology and History. It sits right next to a major ring road, so visitors should expect traffic noise and consider arriving early in the day for a quieter experience.

Beneath the ring road sits an exhibition hall containing an authentic Aztec adobe structure that vibrates from passing vehicles. This unusual juxtaposition of ancient construction and modern infrastructure creates a striking reminder of how the past exists within today's city.