Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Mexico Mexico City Temple Ehécatl

Temple Ehécatl

This Aztec structure remained hidden until the demolition of a supermarket exposed the lost temple.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mario Yair TS profile photo
Added By
Mario Yair T.S.
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Ehécatl offering zone.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Temple Ehécatl.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Temple Ehécatl.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Archeological window.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This parking lot of the shopping center Plaza Tlatelolco is cut in half by a strange white building. When looking out the windows of the building, visitors can spot a structure that dates back to the pre-Columbian period. 

According to archaeologists, this ancient temple was dedicated to the deity of the wind, Ehécatl Quetzalcoatl. The temple's architecture is similar to another pyramid discovered in Pino Suarez Metro dedicated to the same deity. 

It's believed the temple was part of the Aztec city-state known as Tlatelolco. Upon excavation, a small urn was discovered at the site containing offerings to Ehécatl. Inside were bird bones, obsidian, maguey thorns, copal remains, and representations of monkeys and duckbills (common figures used to represent Ehécatl.) Excavating even further into the site, human remains and a few full skeletons were discovered. 

The temple was discovered in 2014 when a previous supermarket was demolished to make way for the shopping center located above. To ensure that visitors would be able to see the marvelous discovery, two archaeological windows were crafted, one in the parking lot and another at street level where pedestrians can take a peek at Aztec history. 

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Related Tags

Temples Hidden History Aztec Malls Shops

Know Before You Go

Although dark, the temple can be seen from the parking lot or from Flores Magón Avenue. If your interest increases, you can request a personalized guided tour that includes entrance to the shrine to see it more closely. 

You should call from Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the following telephone numbers:55830295 and 57822240.

Community Contributors

Mario Yair TS profile photo

Added By

Mario Yair TS

Published

January 15, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Templo+Mayor+Museum/@19.4346038,-99.1340697,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x85d1f92d7281d1dd:0x8c90beca651436b0!2sTemplo+Mayor+Museum!8m2!3d19.4346038!4d-99.131881!3m4!1s0x85d1f92d7281d1dd:0x8c90beca651436b0!8m2!3d19.4346038!4d-99.131881
Temple Ehécatl
38 Mercado
Mexico City, 06300
Mexico
19.450262, -99.140243
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Memorial 68

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

'Xipe Totec'

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Pyramids of Tlatelolco

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico

Places 202
Stories 17

Nearby Places

Memorial 68

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

'Xipe Totec'

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Pyramids of Tlatelolco

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico

Places 202
Stories 17

Related Places

  • Amsterdam Tulip Museum.

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Amsterdam Tulip Museum

    Tucked in the back of a flower shop, its collection details the fascinating history of the Netherlands's iconic symbol.

  • An old 17th-century closet that used to be the barrier between the shop and living area.

    Leiden, Netherlands

    Hidden Basement in Smit

    A retail shop has preserved the 17th-century food cellar from the old building it now occupies.

  • The temple is in the basement of the shopping mall that was built around and above it. It's a free museum.

    Mainz, Germany

    Isis Heiligtum (Isis and Magna Mater Temple)

    An ancient Roman temple hidden in the basement of Römerpassage, a modern shopping mall.

  • In the 86 years since Fiesta was first produced, there have been a total of 56 colors in the line.

    Newell, West Virginia

    Fiesta Tableware Retail Outlet

    A factory store where more than 150 years of American pottery history is stacked—and still made just beyond the showroom.

    Sponsored By West Virginia Department of Tourism
  • Tsum Valley

    Chhokangparo, Nepal

    Tsum Valley

    A remote area dotted with Buddhist temples and monasteries.

  •  The front of Asian Garden Mall.

    Westminster, California

    Asian Garden Mall

    The heart of Little Saigon in Orange County is also the first and largest Vietnamese shopping center in the U.S.

  • Courtyard temple only entrance via cave

    Ipoh, Malaysia

    Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake) Geopark

    Home to secret lakes and hidden temples.

  • The main gate of Chōshō-ji Temple, built in 1629.

    Hirosaki, Japan

    Zenringai (Zen Temple Street)

    These 33 Zen Buddhist temples were built to protect the nearby castle.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.