The Great Pyramid Tlachihualtepetl and the Sanctuary of The Remedies

The Great Pyramid Tlachihualtepetl and the Sanctuary of The Remedies

6.4 kilometres (4 mi) west of the city of Puebla, in the city of Cholula is The Great Pyramid Tlachihualtepetl. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Tlachihualtepetl is the largest pyramid and the largest monument ever constructed anywhere in the world. Its total volume is estimated at over 4.45 million cubic metres, making it larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, however the Great Pyramid of Giza is higher.

In typical "Conquistador" fashion, the Spanish constructed a church - the Sanctuary of the Remedies atop the pyramid. So the pyramid at first looks to be a natural hill crowned by a church. But beneath the church there are tunnels (approximately 8.0 kilometres (5 mi) in length.) For a cost of MX$ 46.00 per person you can walk through an accessible portion of these tunnels. Guided tours (at additional cost) are available, but only in Spanish.

View of snow peaked mountains seen from highway from Puebla to Cholula


View of the church from base of the pyramid


View of part of Cholula from stairway leading to the church


View of mountains from first plateau of the pyramid


View of stairs leading to church from second plateau of the pyramid


Another view from second plateau of the pyramid


View of Canadian Tourist working up the steam to climb up stairs from second plateau of the pyramid


View of the church after climbing the stairs


View from the church courtyard


A marker in the church courtyard

It Reads:
Sanctuary of The Remedies
Before establishing the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies on the Great Pyramid Tlachihualtepetl, a cross was placed in the Teocalli or temple dedicated to the prehispanic deity.

In 1536 was struck by lightning beam. Then a second and a third cross were placed but demolished by the same circumstances of the first one, the Franciscans climb to the top of the hill and found buried snails and prehispanic idols.

The construction of the church dedicated to Our Lady of remedies began in 1594 and finished in 1666. The material of which the shrine was taken from the same pyramid. Francisco de la Maza makes an interpretation of the features that could have this first chapel, that says "it had a facade of 3 distinct bodies, with projected lateral buttresses, rectangular choir's window with a niche. Two bodies tower in the left of the facade, the first body of square section and the second penny, with a high and graceful cupola. De la Maza gets this description from a lithograph of the mid nineteenth century.

The Cathedral of the Virgen de los Remedios was rebuilt in 1864, the secular clergy took part in the reconstruction, including the move of the Virgin image to the parish in 1867 where stayed until the temple was finished, ten years later, after the tremor occurred in 1874 the statue was returned to the shrine.

View of the tunnel under the pyramid


Alternate view from opposite side

Excellent, Axixic! Gracias.

A side trip to Cholula looks like a must for our next Puebla visit. It would have been miserable last August in the rain since we only had a half day of partial sun. Thanks for the great photos!

Nice pics Axixic. Thanks for posting them.

Great pics! Gracias!