San Martín de las Pirámides: Churches, Obsidian and Cerro Gordo

San Martín de las Pirámides lies east of the Teotihuacán archaeological zone and is the region’s second Pueblo Mágico. Cerro Gordo is also part of the town’s landscape: the hill is visible from every point in San Martín de las Pirámides. Churches, squares and obsidian craftsmanship give the town its own distinctive character.

On Foot Through the Town Centre

A short walk through the town centre passes three churches: the Parroquia de San Martín Obispo de Tours, the Iglesia Ecce Homo and the Capilla de Santa María Palapa.

In the town centre, Plaza Juárez has benches and a kiosk. San Martín de las Pirámides’ square is also home to two monoliths named Chalchihuitlicue and Huehueteotl. Together with the churches, places like these shape the town’s cultural character, without requiring you to work through a long list of sights.

Churches and Obsidian Craftsmanship

The Templo de Ecce Homo was built in the late 1970s. Inside is a painting of Jesus Christ depicted as Ecce Homo. The construction period and the subject of the painting offer two concrete ways to appreciate the town from different perspectives: through its more recent architectural history and its religious art.

The “Museo de la Obsidiana” library, established between 2020 and 2021, focuses on the history of local crafts. It displays a variety of works, particularly those made from obsidian. If you are interested in the town’s craftsmanship, you will find a different focus here than on a walk around its churches and squares.

Landscape and Other Experiences

Cerro Gordo is always visible in San Martín de las Pirámides, as the hill can be seen from every point in town. This striking feature of the landscape helps orient you as you explore the town. Hot-air balloon rides are also associated with San Martín de las Pirámides. If you would like to include one in your plans, check in advance whether it is available during your travel dates.

For a longer activity, you can plan your time differently: in the Municipality of San Martín de las Pirámides, a cycling tour runs through San Martín de las Pirámides along the outer edge of the archaeological zone. It is about ten kilometres long and takes three hours. This gives you two different options for planning your day: a short walk through the town centre or a tour lasting several hours.

The culture of the Municipality of San Martín de las Pirámides also includes the Parroquia of San Martín de las Pirámides. Construction was completed in 1920 in the Plateresque style adopted from Italy; a musical clock at the Parroquia plays a different song every six hours. The Feria Nacional de la Tuna is celebrated in the Municipality of San Martín de las Pirámides in August. The food fair features jams, liqueurs, soft drinks, fruit pastes, sweets and snacks made from prickly pears and xoconostle, which are grown in the municipality.

Choose the Right Base

When searching for a holiday rental, you can start by asking yourself which aspect of the town you want to shape your trip. If you want to focus on churches, squares and the library, you can look in the town centre. If your plans also include a cycling tour or the fair, the activity you have in mind and the right timing will matter more.

For the broader travel overview: Municipality of San Martín de las Pirámides.