Teotitlan del Valle City And Archaeological Ruins
Oaxaca Mexico
Travel And Tour Photos And Pictures

George And Audrey DeLange

Teotitlan del Valle: (te-o-tee-TLAHN del VAH-ye), Oaxaca, S Mexico, 17 mi/27 km ESE of Oaxaca; 17°02'N 96°30'W. Weaving center, known for bright serapes with idol designs. Teotitlan was the capital of the Zapotecs during the 11th and 12th centuries. A temple and pyramid in honor of Quetzalcoatal is on a hill nearby. A church now covers the temple. The St. Hieronymite Tlacochahuaya Church is located nearby and it contains original 16th century native paintings. A local legend which dates back to 34 A.D. as quoted by the Spanish Friar Juan de Cordova in the 16th Century tells of an interesting happening at this site. "On the day we call Tecpatl [ The Aztec name for the day sign flint knife] a great light came from the northeastern sky. It glowed for four days in the sky, then lowered itself to the rock; the rock can still be seen at Tenochititlan ( Teotitlan ) de Valle in Oaxaca. From the light there came a great, very powerful being, who stood on the top of the very rock and glowed like the sun in the sky. There he stood for all to see, shining day and night. Then he spoke, his voice was like thunder, booming across the valley." It is interesting that the light appeared in the sky at Teotitlan on the day flint knife. Flint Knife corresponds to March 24 and four days later corresponds to March 27 which occurs during the Passover Week of the year 34 A.D. It is also interesting that March 28th of that year is the last day of the Mayan Long Count Calendar. That day is called IK, which means wind, breath, and life, and is a name associated with Quetzalcoatl. Ik comes from the Nahuatl name, Eecatl - Quetzalcoatl, depicting Quetzalcoatl's wind - rain- life god qualities. Our photos of the Teotitlan del Valle Community Museum show mainly the antique looms and other weaving equipment used in the past. We should recall that Teotitlan del Valle is well known for its weaving of rugs. The Precious Blood of Christ Church (Preciosa Sangre de Cristo) in Teotitlán del Valle was built in the seventeenth century and is considered a prime example of colonial architecture. Our other photos show the church in Teotitlan del Valle, the Teotitlan Rock, and the Quetzalcoatl Temple.