⛪ Great Pyramid of Cholula

About This Sacred Site

The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramid in the world by volume, even surpassing the Great Pyramid of Giza. Known as Tlachihualtepetl ('made-by-hand mountain'), the pyramid was built in stages over more than a thousand years by successive cultures. When the Spanish arrived, the pyramid was so overgrown it appeared to be a natural hill, and they built the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios on its summit. Today it represents a remarkable fusion of pre-Hispanic and Christian sacred spaces, with the church remaining an active pilgrimage destination while the pyramid tunnels reveal ancient ceremonial chambers below.

History & Origins

The Great Pyramid of Cholula, constructed beginning around 300 BCE, is the largest pyramid in the world by volume at approximately 4.45 million cubic meters, built in successive layers by multiple Mesoamerican civilizations including the Olmecs, Toltecs, and Aztecs over more than 1,000 years. In 1594, the Spanish colonizers erected the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios atop the pyramid, symbolizing the imposition of Christianity upon indigenous beliefs. Archaeological studies confirm the pyramid's gradual expansion through stratified construction, with each culture adding their own architectural styles and religious significance. The pyramid served as a major ceremonial center for the worship of Quetzalcoatl and other deities prior to Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Its preservation beneath the church and surrounding terrain has made it a unique archaeological and religious site, representing the syncretism of pre-Columbian and Christian traditions.

Spiritual Significance

The pyramid was a focal point for ritual offerings and ceremonies dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity, with sacred rites involving bloodletting and festivals aligned to the agricultural calendar observed by the Cholulteca people. After the Spanish conquest, the construction of the church on its summit reoriented the site as a Christian pilgrimage destination, blending indigenous and Catholic worship practices. Pilgrims ascend the pyramid via underground tunnels to reach the church, symbolizing a spiritual journey from ancient polytheism to Christianity. Annual celebrations on September 1st honor Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, incorporating processions, Mass, and indigenous dances, reflecting the site’s layered religious importance. The pyramid's enduring sacredness is also reflected in local oral traditions and ongoing archaeological excavations that reveal the depth of its ritual use over millennia.

Key Facts

• •Largest pyramid in the world by volume at 4.45 million cubic meters
• •Built in layers over more than 1,000 years by multiple civilizations
• •The Spanish built a church on top, not realizing it was an ancient pyramid
• •Over 8 kilometers of tunnels have been excavated inside the pyramid
• •Cholula was one of the most sacred cities in pre-Hispanic Mexico

Location

Coordinates: 19.0575, -98.3017