The Mountain Made by Hand

A fascinating archaeological site, a beautiful tourist destination, and an architectural marvel, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is a place where history comes to life. Called Tlachihualtepetl, “handmade mountain,” in the native Nahuatl language, the pyramid was built over several centuries by multiple civilizations in what is now the city of Cholula, Mexico.

Archaeologists believe three pre-Columbian societies constructed this temple as a focal point for religious rituals, ceremonies, and offerings to the gods. Believed to have been dedicated to the deity Quetzalcoatl, its use aligns with many religious practices typical of cultures of the region.

More than just an impressive building, the pyramid was the heart of a thriving population center. Some records suggest that, at its peak, Cholula housed 100,000 residents, making it one of the largest Mesoamerican cities of its era, comparable to ancient Athens or Jerusalem. Today, tucked into la zona arqueologica de Cholula (“architectural zone of Cholula”), the temple stands watch over the longest continuously inhabited city in North America.

A Colossal Monument

Though it may look like a natural hill, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is the most volumetric human-made pyramid in the world. The temple rises only to a height of approximately 66 meters (m) or 217 feet (ft.), but its base measures an impressive 450 by 450 m (1,476 by 1,476 ft.). This massive base area sets it apart from other pyramids and accounts for its estimated volume of 4.45 million m³ (around 157 million cu. ft.). Comparatively, the Great Pyramid of Giza has a volume of just 2.6 million m³ (around 92 million cu. ft.). The following table shows how the pyramid at Cholula stacks up to other impressive structures.

Ancient Origins

Historians estimate that the construction of the Great Pyramid of Cholula began more than 2,000 years ago, around 300 BCE. Although it’s not clear what inspired the original builders, its base design is similar to the architecture of neighboring cultures. Over the following centuries, the Olmecs and Toltecs contributed additional layers that rose from the foundation, eventually forming the final structure around 1200 CE.

The pyramid’s spiritual significance is deeply rooted in the beliefs of Mesoamerican civilizations. The monumental edifice acted as a gateway to the heavens, where societies honored gods and communed with ancestors. Over time, however, as Cholula’s political authority waned, the temple became overgrown with vegetation. Its original purpose disappeared underneath soil and debris.

With the invasion of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the pyramid’s destiny shifted. They constructed the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (“Church of Our Lady of the Remedies”) on top of what they mistakenly assumed was a hill. This act obscured an important part of Cholula’s Indigenous cultural heritage.

Legacy

The Great Pyramid of Cholula is now a popular site for tourists, drawing over 200,000 visitors annually. Many are pilgrims visiting the Catholic church at its summit, while others are simply there to gaze in awe upon a vast ancient ruin.

Unfortunately, few visitors to the site have a full understanding of its spiritual and historical significance. Recent initiatives to acknowledge the temple’s Indigenous origins signal an increasing acknowledgment of its heritage. Too often Indigenous history is overlooked, but this remarkable structure serves as a reminder of the contributions and achievements of Mexico’s first peoples.

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