ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA CAÑADA DE LA VIRGEN

After a minivan ride, you'll be dropped off about a kilometer from the site. A climb will take you to the first major attraction: the Casa de los 13 Cielos. Here, archaeologists have uncovered the graves of ten distinguished members of the elite. These individuals, of various ages, genders and genetic profiles, had links with populations such as the Seris, Nuicholes, Nanuas, Otomis and Mayas, to name but a few. The site is structured around a vast patio, at the end of which a staircase rises to the top of a pyramid. From this point, the panorama is breathtaking, revealing the distinctive silhouettes of the surrounding structures. One of these is the Casa del Viento, a circular construction 22 metres in diameter dedicated to Ehecatl, the god of wind, and overlooking theEstanque, a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering designed for water storage. Behind the Casa de los 13 Cielos temple is the Casa de la Noche más larga, an edifice whose position may be linked to the winter solstice. It's interesting to note that the inhabitants of La Cañada planned the location of their buildings according to the route taken by the sun and the moon. On August 25, a key date in the pre-Hispanic calendar marking the offering of the harvest to the rulers, the sun aligns itself precisely with the portico of the Casa de los 13 Cielos. Unlike the ruins of Tula and Teotihuacán, the buildings here face west. The site once abounded in greenery, resembling a lush paradise where water abounded. It's plausible that the inhabitants used boats as a means of transport. Fun fact: rather than taking its name from archaeological documents and clues, Cañada de la Virgen owes its identification to the hacienda where it was discovered. To better understand its history, it is advisable to visit the archaeology exhibition at the Museo Histórico Casa de Allende, in particular the Izcuinapan room, before planning your excursion to the site. It would also be wise to consider the services of a local guide capable of organizing transportation (we recommend Coyote Canyon and Yollotl Viajero). During your visit, please note that bags are not allowed. You must leave them in the lockers provided at the entrance. Remember to bring water, sunscreen and appropriate clothing to protect you from the sun.