Castillo de Teayo, Pre-Hispanic pyramid in Veracruz, Mexico
Castillo de Teayo is a Mesoamerican pyramid in Veracruz with three stepped tiers and a central stairway. The structure spans approximately 24 meters on each side of its square base and rises about 11 meters tall.
The site developed between the 10th and 12th centuries as a major ceremonial center for Huastec communities. It later passed under Aztec control as power shifted across the region.
Stone figures around the site show gods, animals, and people that reveal how the ancient inhabitants practiced their beliefs. These carvings tell us what mattered most to them in their spiritual life and daily rituals.
An on-site museum displays artifacts and sculptures from excavations, located at the Pyramid Plaza in downtown Teayo. Visiting early in the day helps you explore in cooler conditions and see the stone details more clearly.
The name Teayo comes from the Nahuatl word Teayok, meaning turtle on stone, connected to the temple's sacred location. This reveals how the ancient people linked their holy places to the natural world around them.
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