Native Trails MyTrails 2025 131 Estado de México 8 Visit of the archaeological site of Tenayuca Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Tradition has it that Tenayuca was founded by the Chichimec as their capital in the early 13th century, but the history of the settlement dates back to the first millennium AD. The archaeological site includes a large pyramid whose foundations were laid in Chichimec times; the Aztec exterior we see today developed later in the course of several reconstructions. The many decorative elements in the form of serpents that will strike your eye are linked to the adoration of fire and the sun. 9 Visit of the Centro cermonial Otomí Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Medium The about 50-hectar (120-acre) ceremonial center lies on the La Catedral mountain and offers you a magnificent view of the wonderful landscape of the Mexican highlands. It was built in 1978 to preserve the culture of the Otomí, a people considered to be the first settlers of the volcanic region. The people’s elders regularly use the center still today to perform ancestral ceremonies and sacred rituals in honor of the gods. Take a walk to experience the captivating mystique of the place. Climbing the 365 steps – symbolizing the days in a year – of the Templo Mayor is rewarded with a great view. 10 Visit of CIMMYT, the corn and wheat research institute Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The CIMMYT (Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo) research institute was founded by Dr. Norman Borlaug in 1966 and focuses on increasing the yield of corn and wheat. In many countries, these cereals are staple food and the main source of income. The institute researches new resistant species, which are continuously adjusted to changing environmental conditions. 11 Visit of the Botanical garden of Toluca and city tour Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy A former market hall surrounds Toluca’s botanical garden. The fragments of stained glass used to redesign the hall produce a breathtaking play of colors in the garden with its more than 1,000 plants from all over the world. During a short city tour, you explore the picturesque city center and the sumptuous cathedral. 12 Visit of a Potter’s Workshop in Metepec Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy You visit craftsman Heriberto Ortega in his home in Metepec. It takes painstaking detail work to create from clay the individual sculptures, mostly miniatures, that are afterwards assembled to find their specific place in the “tree of life” – a real work of art. It is an old tradition from the central Mexican plateau and originally served to teach the history of creation. Trees of life include many essential biblical elements still today and serve both religious and decorative purposes. 13 City Tour Metepec Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy An amalgamation of tradition and modernism is the dominant impression you will gain during your tour of Metepec: Old colonial buildings such as the 16th century Franciscan monastery of San Juan Bautista with its Baroque façade or the Capilla del Calvario, which overlooks the town, have their place next to modern architecture, e.g., the Pan American Center for Human Ecology and Health. Metepec is particularly known for its handicrafts, especially artistic pottery. Let the colorful town, one of the “Pueblos Mágicos”, cast its spell on you. 14 Museo del Barro Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy The “Museo del Barro”, which was opened in 2012, is the only museum in Mexico dedicated to pottery. It makes its visitors familiar with a wide range of this art form: Temporary exhibitions present ceramic
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