Pyramids Xochicalco Xochicalco is the most important archaeological site in Morelos. The main ceremonial center is atop an artificially leveled hill, with remains of residential structures, mostly unexcavated, on long terraces covering the slopes. The site was first occupied by 200 BC but did not develop into an urban center until the Epiclassic period (AD 700 – 900). In addition to pyramids, there are three ballparks, an observatory, and a
temazcal (ritual steam bath). At its peak, the city may have had a population of up to 20,000 people. The site is located in the municipalities of
Temixco and Xochitepec and includes a museum with six exhibit halls.
Zazacatla In June 2006 a research team from Mexico's
National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) began excavations at
Zazacatla, a
pre-Columbian Mesoamerican
archaeological site located within the municipal boundaries. The INAH team led by Giselle Canto reported finding evidence of
Olmec cultural influences at the site. Prior to the find Olmec-influenced
statuary and architecture had been almost completely unknown for other sites in the western Morelos region, and Zazacatla's excavation represents the strongest evidence yet for some form of trade or contact between the area and the "
Olmec heartland" in the
Gulf Coast region, some 400 km (249 mi) to the east. In January 2007 the
governor of Morelos,
Marco Adame Castillo, announced an offer for the state to underwrite the preservation of
Zazacatla and to incorporate it into the tourism and cultural heritage plans for Morelos. He foreshadowed that a tourism project would be initiated at the site's location in Xochitepec once the archaeological investigations had further developed.
Churches •
San Bartolo Atlacholoaya (
St. Bartholomew) parish is located in Atlacholoaya, which is believed to have been founded by
Tlahuicas in the 14th century, as demonstrated by nearby Prehispanic ruins. Its festival is August 24. •
San Antonio de Padua Atlacholoaya (
St. Anthony of Padua) church was built upon Prehispanic ruins in Atlacholoaya. Its festival is June 13. •
Purísima Concepción Alpuyeca. Alpuyeca is located 8 km west of the city of Xochitepec. There are small ponds where blue wáter lilies flourish. The church of the
Immaculate Conception is built upon the platform of a Prehispanic pyramid. There are two festivals: September 24 (
Virgin of Mercy) and December 8. Sugar cane and peanuts are the principal crops in the town. • Parish of Chiconcuac. The church of
San Antonio de Padua formed part of the
Hacienda de Santa Catarina (St. Catherine). There are large gardens and a manor house (
Casona) that tourists can visit. There is also a 500-meter aqueduct.
Other •
El Cerrito (The Small Hill) houses the municipal auditorium and the clock tower. It is said to have curative and magnetic powers; located one kilometer from town, it is the most emblematic place in Xochitepec. •
Centro Cultural Xochitepequense (Xochitepec Cultural Center). The building that houses the center was opened on December 22, 1901. The building is located in the 16th century
Convento de San Juan Bautista, which was declared a historical monument on October 2, 2001. Construction of the cupola was finished in 1881. In the 1970s the building served as City Hall. Since September 29, 2006, it has housed the
Doctor Emeterio González Museo del Campesino (Peasant Museum). There are 500 objects on exhibit, including a meteorite, archaeological pieces, and agricultural tools in two exhibition halls. •
Palo Bolero water park is one of the most famous in Morelos. Every May 3 there is a ritual involving offerings of
mezcal and tobacco at the spring. The water flows down a waterfall, forming a natural pool. Tourists can also visit a cave, there is a wading pool for children, restaurant, dance floor, green areas, and parking. The water park is located along the Cuernavaca-Acapulco tollway, Km 9.5. •
San Ramon water park is famous for its thermal sulfuric waters, which have a temperature of 23 °C (73.4 °F). There are 3 swimming pools, 3 wading pools, an 80-meter diameter artificial lake, green areas, live music, restaurant, playground, and camping area. The water park is in Chinconcuac. •
Ecological Water Park Campestre is located across from the
Mariano Matamoros soccer stadium on the Tejalpa-Zacatepec highway in Chiconcuac. There are gardens, swimming pools, wading pool, store, boutique, and restaurant. There is a hanging bridge over the river. Security guards make for safe camping. Capacity for 3,500 people. • Villagers swim in the
Tetlama and
Apatlaco Rivers in
Alpuyeca during
Holy Week. • The Municipal Market was built in 1986-1987 during the administration of
Governor Lauro Ortega. Tourists can buy handicrafts. • The Aqueduct in Chiconcuac is 500 meters long and a part of the Hacienda of Santa Catarina. ==Atlacholoaya penitentiary==