Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Teotihuacan

The Temple of the Feathered Serpent is a six-level step pyramid featuring alternating carved serpent heads and geometric stone patterns across its facade. The elaborate reliefs run along every tier, making this structure the centerpiece of the Ciudadela complex at the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead.

This structure was built in the early centuries after Christ and dedicated to the deity that later became central to Aztec religion. Its architectural style and symbolic imagery influenced religious concepts across Mesoamerica for centuries to come.

The pyramid features the earliest known representations of the feathered serpent deity, later connected to the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl through Mesoamerican religious traditions.

The temple sits in the southern section of the archaeological site and is surrounded by an open plaza where visitors can view the structure from multiple angles. Access is straightforward, as the grounds are well-marked with paths leading around all major structures.

A tunnel system beneath the temple was discovered containing numerous ritual offerings, including seashells, pottery, and carved greenstone figures. These hidden chambers reveal how the builders understood sacred spaces and divine offerings.