When I was 12 years old I bought a National Geographic magazine with an article about the pre-Columbian temples of Mexico and Central America. I spent that whole Saturday night looking at those images; the grandeur of once powerful civilisations now lost in the jungle, awaiting to be discovered. I remember making a promise to myself: I was going to visit those places one day.

A couple of years later I travelled to Mexico. I had recently turned 18 and was super excited to finally visit some of these temples that I so longed to see.

On that clear May day the first stop was the altepetl (city) of Tlatelolco. The archeological site of this city-state built by the tlatelolca people (part of the Mexica ethnic group, also known as Aztecs) lies in the northern part of Mexico City. Just to give you an idea of how huge this metropolis is, to the south you'll find the ruins of Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital (now the Zocalo, in the Historic District of Mexico City), said to have been at its peak the largest pre-Columbian city of the Americas. Wow!

Well, Tlatelolco was a separate city but it was close to the neighbouring Tenochtitlan. In fact, the tenochca people of Tenochtitlan conquered by means of war the tlatelolca people and the latter had to adjust to the new Tlatoanis (rulers). The new rulers controlled the commerce of the tianguis (market) of Tlatelolco, the most important site for trade in the whole Aztec Empire. After being conquered, it is said that both cities got along so well to the point that Spaniards couldn't notice differences between them. This of course, until both cities fell to the Conquerors of New Spain.

I was marvelled with the sight of temples and structures, some dedicated to Aztec Gods like Huitzilopochtli (the sun god) and Quetzalcoatl (the god of life). What is even more amazing is how Mexicans have managed to preserve this archeological site located within a residential area. As I walked through the temples, I couldn't help to notice the tips of modern buildings hiding behind Aztec constructions! It is just too amazing! I guess this is one of the reasons why I love Mexico so much. Here in Mexico you see, listen and experience culture in every corner and Mexicans are so incredibly proud of their heritage, a pride that you notice as soon as you arrive.

As for me, a dream came true that morning. It is for moments like these that I want to keep travelling. To see, to understand and to appreciate the wonderful heritage that we all have in common is perhaps one of the most incredible feelings in the world. And in Mexico this feeling comes naturally.

The archeological site of Tlatelolco in Mexico City.

Walking around Tlatelolco.

The 'Lovers of Tlatelolco' are two skeletons found holding one another, hence the name.

The most impressive aspect is how this archeological excavation site is located within a residential area surrounded by apartment buildings and busy roads.

Tlatelolco.

Perhaps one of the most popular images of Tlateloloco: the temples of pre-Columbian origin with the church and convent of  Santiago and the buildings of the Nonoalco  apartment complex (by Mexican architect Mario Pani following Le Corbusier's urban principles).

Coolest crowd at Tlatelolco.

Iglesia y Convento de Santiago.

"On August 13, 1521, heroically defended by Cuauhtemoc, Tlatelolco fell to the power of Hernan Cortes. Neither a triumph nor a defeat, it was the painful moment of birth of the Mexico of today, a country of 'Mestizo' people".

Inside the church of Santiago you'll find Juan Diego's baptismal fountain with a depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Virigin Mary which has become the most important symbol for Catholic Mexicans. According to the legend, it was this native Mexican whom the Virgin first appeared to.

The Plaza of the Three Cultures, called like that because it symbolises Mexico's unique cultural heritage: it is surrounded by the Tlatelolco archeological site, by the Colonial church of Santiago and by modern buildings.  It was also here where the Massacre of '68 happened. On October 2, 1968 an estimated 300 students and civilians were killed by the Mexican military forces in what is now called 'The night of Tlatelolco".

The Cathedral of Santiago was built using the same stones from the Aztec temples of Tlatelolco.