Study Spanish in Mexico
GO BEYOND, LIVE SPANISH IN AZTLAN!
"The Spanish School in Mexico"

Malinalco and Chalma
Malinalco is a town located in the southwestern part of Mexico State, about 70 km away from Cuernavaca. It is believed that it was a centre of ritual activities for the jaguar and eagle orders of the Aztec military hierarchy. The region is dotted with caves and has a long history of religious beliefs associated with cave and earth deities. The sanctuary we see today was possibly originally a small cave. Using slave labor and working with obsidian tools, the Aztec builders began to carve directly into the rock face. Thirteen steps, flanked by jaguar statues, lead to the entrance carved to resemble a mask of a serpent, whose forked tongue forms the welcoming "mat." Inside the cave-like inner temple is a low, semi-circular bench with three "seats" for the military commanders: a jaguar and two eagles. Behind another eagle in the centre of the floor is a deep hole, to receive offerings to the earth. Blood sacrifice would have been a part of the rituals performed at the site.

The municipality is also home to the town of Chalma, a place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage. Chalma is the second most-visited Catholic temple in Mexico

Departure: 9:00am
Return: 6:30pm
Cost: $50USD Includes: Round transportation guide and admission fees