Calixtlahuaca was one of the most important settlements in the Valley of Toluca or Matalcingo;its name in Nahuatl means "Place of houses on the plain" comes from ixtlahuatl, "plain" and calli "home." This name the Aztecs gave it referring to the number of villages that formed the area matlatzinca settlement these villages were located on the plain that extends north from the archaeological site.

This was the township of the Matlazinca people, inhabited from prehistoric times and later subjugated by the Aztecs, who established a garrison here in the fifteenth century. Calixtlahuaca was not a willing subject, and there were constant rebellions; after one, in 1475, the Aztecs allegedly sacrificed over 11,000 Matlazinca prisoners on the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. This, several times built over, is the most important structure on the site. Dedicated to the god in his role as Ehecatl, god of wind, its circular design is typical, allowing the breezes to blow freely around the shrine. See also the remains of the pyramid devoted to Tlaloc, and the nearby tzompantli (skull wall), both constructed of the local pink and black volcanic stone. Bring something to light your way in the short dark tunnels which reveal evidence of earlier constructions.

While in Toluca put a couple of hours aside to visit the archeological site of Calixtlahuaca.

Hours Tuesday to Sunday from 10-17 hours.
Don’t worry too much about the opening hours since the site is not fenced.

Responsible archaeologist of the Archaeological Zone Calixtlahuaca Arqlga. Maria del Carmen Carbajal.

Phone: 01 (722) 215-7080 / 01 (722) 215-8569 / 01 (722) 213 - 9581. Ext. 198031.

A small museum is sporadically open.

Services at the archaeological: site Calixtlahuaca Guided tours by appointment with the INAH Mexico State Center.

To access the archaeological site road number 55 (Toluca-Atlacomulco).

The site is on a hillside just outside the village of Calixtlahuaca, easily reached by taxi or by a circuitous local bus which takes half an hour from the stop on Santos Degollado, one block north of the main square at its junction with Nicolás Bravo.