Mexico City has a rich history, and this is evident in its architecture, art, and landmarks. One of the most unique and captivating structures in the heart of the city is the small pyramid, located in the Pino Suarez metro station.

The Ehecatl Pyramid is a small ancient pyramid that is believed to be over 1500 years old. This pyramid, originally built by the Aztecs, serves as a stunning backdrop to one of the busiest metro stations in Mexico City.

The pyramid, which is thought to have been a part of a larger temple complex, stands approximately 4,80 m tall.

The pyramid features intricate carvings and inscriptions. Despite its small size, the pyramid is a marvel to behold, and its presence in the metro is a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage.

The Pino Suarez metro station is also home to a small museum that showcases artifacts and information about the history and significance of the Ehecatl Pyramid, and about the ancient culture that once inhabited the area.

Ehecatl Pyramid is the hidden gem of the Pino Suarez metro station

Mexico City is a city rich in history and culture, and its metro system is no exception. Among the many unique and interesting structures in the city’s metro, the Ehecatl Pyramid, located in the Pino Suarez station, stands out as one of the most intriguing.

This small, ancient pyramid is believed to be over 1500 years old and is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage.

The Ehecatl Pyramid is named after the Aztec god of wind, Ehecatl, who was an important deity in the ancient culture’s religious pantheon. The pyramid is thought to have been a part of a larger temple complex dedicated to Ehecatl and served as a place of worship for the Aztecs.

The Ehecatl Pyramid was lost after the fall of the Aztec empire and the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. It was rediscovered in the late 20th century during the construction of Mexico City’s metro system.

The pyramid was found to be remarkably well-preserved, despite the centuries that had passed, and was carefully removed from its original site and relocated to the Pino Suarez metro station.

The Ehecatl Pyramid is a small structure, standing at just 4.8 m tall, but it is rich in history and significance.

The pyramid is covered in intricate carvings and inscriptions, which provide a glimpse into the religious beliefs and practices of the Aztecs. The carvings depict scenes of daily life and religious rituals, as well as images of Ehecatl and other Aztec gods.

The discovery of the Ehecatl Pyramid in the heart of Mexico City was a major event and has helped to raise awareness of the city’s rich cultural heritage. The pyramid serves as a reminder of the city’s ancient past and is a unique feature of the Pino Suarez station.

This small pyramid in Pino Suarez metro station is a true gem and is a must-visit point of interest for anyone who is interested in history and culture. Whether you’re a local resident or a visiting tourist, this stunning structure is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This altar was unearthed during the construction of the station in 1967 where it remains to this day surrounded by the passageway between Lines 1 and 2.

Back in the sixties the government, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic games of 1968 decided to start building the subway in Mexico City. While excavating they unearthed a round-shaped altar built by the Mexica around the 1400s.

Its discovery presented a problem, the National Institute of Archeology and History ( INAH), intervened and after serious discussions, metro officials signed an agreement to let the altar remain and allow INAH officials to preserve and maintain it.

So passageways were built around it, local fauna planted to spruce it up, and river rocks and illumination were implemented.

The station is named after José María Pino Suárez, Vice President of Mexico during the term of Francisco I. Madero (1911–1913).

However, the station logo depicts a pyramid dedicated to Ehecatl, the Aztec god of wind. This pyramid was discovered in the early construction of the station and it can be seen on display along the main transfer corridor.

The station was opened on 5 September 1969.

The Ehecatl Pyramid is the smallest archaeological zone in Mexico.

It is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the country, although the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) does not consider it a proper archaeological zone, due to its size and the fact that it is located in a Metro Transport System facility.

The Ehecatl pyramid in Pino Suarez is thought to have been part of a larger ceremonial center, complete with a corridor from the shrine to Iztapalapa.

Most structures were affected during the Metro construction, but this monument could be rescued due to its location and conservation state.

A few offerings have been found inside the pyramid, for instance, ‘La Monita’, a carved sculpture of a monkey carrying the mask of Ehécatl and two snakes.

The figure known as “La Monita” is a rare carved figure, painted in red and black, that carries the Ehecatl mouth mask; 2 serpents are part of the sculpture, one coiled at the base and the other that becomes the tail.

The INAH Archaeological Studies Direction keeps the files regarding the excavation and rescue that began in 1967, headed by the Catalonian archaeologist Jordi Gussinyer, the historiography of every element found and its exact location during the Metro construction.

One of the temple’s characteristics is that it has 4 structural construction stages, as Templo Mayor, and it counts on a circular base that functions as a pedestal for the deity placed at the top.