Aztec Temple in Malinalco


This site is where new members were inducted into the Order of the Jaguar and Eagle.

On the way to the top of the mountain to view this we noted a spring where the locals have created a shrine. There are stairs leading up to the shrine and bright tinsel like streamers stretched out from it. The spring has been an important part of local culture since ancient times.

In the first photo you can see the stairs and in the second one the shrine.

At the top of the mountain we viewed the Aztec ruins. Originally the area was under the control of the Matlazincas. The Aztecs conquered the area between 1469 and 1481 and made it part of the triple alliance. There is a series of temples and pyramids that were built here. Warriors who died in battle and distinguished themselves were brought to a circular temple. The pyramid that can be seen here is not the original one. It was destroyed during the Spanish Conquest. They actually rolled the stones down the side of the mountain. The main temple couldn't be completely destroyed because it was carved out of the mountain.

This is the rebuilt pyramid and the temple.

In the temple warriors were initiated into the Order of the Jaguar and Eagle. There warriors were the "special forces" that guarded the king and his palace. They had to distinguish themselves in battle with the enemy in order to be chosen for this honor. I was wondering if it was really an honor when I learned that they had the middle section of their nose pierced to bleed as part of the ceremony. It must have been very imposing when you entered the temple and you saw the great carved beasts inside.

Notice the carvings in the wall outside the entrance. Can you see the head of the creature inside the temple? What do you think it is?

The last temple was never finished here. When the mendicants arrived supported by the Spanish crown and church they started to rid the country of the "pagan" religions. That is one reason they destroyed the pyramids and temples. They also tried to destroy the history of the people. They built very large ornate churches to win over the people.

This is a picture of the unfinished temple. The second picture shows the area where dead warriors were brought.

From the top of the mountain you can look down and see the main church built by the monks of the Augustine monastery right in the middle of the town. They employed local people to paint exquisite murals inside that are known as the Paradise Garden murals. They did this to try and win over the local Indians to the catholic church. They taught them the method being used in Europe at the time but they encouraged the artists to include local plants and animals. Later when there was a change in how things were being done the walls were white-washed 22 times! In the 70's an electrician discovered the murals underneath when he was putting in a new outlet. They have since worked to restore them.

If you look carefully in the middle of the first picture you will see the church. The second photo shows the front of the church.


Can you see the cactus in the second photo?


The second photo was taken just outside the church looking up at the Malinalco Temple area.

Posted: Sun - March 13, 2005 at 11:07 PM          

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