Zona Arqueológica de Cempoala

A place of symmetrical fretwork that surrounds the vestiges of what was once a great wall. The archaeological zone of Cempoala is one of the most important historical points in Veracruz because this is where the Spanish united with the Totonac settlers against the Aztec Empire and which led to the colonization process of Spain in what is now Mexico.

Cempoala (or Zempoala) comes from Nahuatl and has two accepted meanings: "abundance of water" and the second, "place of twenty or twenty"; alluding to the 20 communities that made up the big city or its commercial activities that were carried out every 20 days. The Spaniards, upon finding an imposing city, called it “Sevilla” or “Villaviciosa”.

To get there, take the Veracruz - Xalapa highway, and a few minutes away is the deviation to Poza Rica where there are already signs to reach the archaeological zone. An hour's drive from the city of Veracruz or Xalapa, the capital city of the people of Veracruz.

Cempoala is important because inside, there is evidence of an Olmec configuration. However, this was a Totonac capital that dominated a large part of Veracruz territory and part of the State of Puebla; Within Cempoala there is evidence that Totonacas, Chinantecas, and Zapotecs lived together; bringing together almost 50 towns in their domains. That is why the interest of the Spanish conquered it.

During its greatest stage, this city had between 25 and 30 thousand inhabitants, an important number for the Mesoamerica region. The city has a hydraulic system that prevented major floods and vented the water into the nearby rivers; By solving this problem, this settlement grew in such a way that it gained military and commercial importance.

One of its most recognized sites is a set of stepped rings made of stone that, according to several researchers, was a tool to measure time. The city lasted from 900 to 1521 AD. C.