Mexico City rests on the ancient ruins of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. Spanish colonizers built the modern city over sacred sites, hiding temples, pyramids, and ceremonial centers. Today, you can find these ruins surprisingly in public spaces like subway stations and parking lots.

One remarkable hidden gem is the circular temple of Ehecatl, dedicated to the Aztec god of wind, found beneath the Pino Suarez metro station. Thousands pass by daily, unaware they walk over a sacred site from the 1400s, connecting Mexico City’s past and present.

The Ehecatl Pyramid is Mexico’s smallest archaeological site but one of the most visited. However, the National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) does not officially classify it as a proper archaeological zone due to its small size and location within a metro station.

The Ehecatl altar was discovered during the construction of the metro in 1967. As the government prepared for the 1968 Olympic Games, workers uncovered this round-shaped altar. The National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) stepped in to protect and preserve it.

The station was opened on 5 September 1969.

To preserve the altar, metro officials agreed to build passageways around it. Today, the altar is surrounded by plants, river rocks, and special lighting, blending history with modern infrastructure, allowing commuters to glimpse Mexico’s rich indigenous heritage.

The station, named after José María Pino Suárez, a Mexican vice president, features a logo depicting the pyramid dedicated to Ehecatl. The pyramid can be seen along the main corridor connecting subway lines, making it one of Mexico’s most accessible archaeological sites.

Despite its small size, the Ehecatl pyramid holds great cultural significance. It’s thought to be part of a larger ceremonial center that once connected with other sacred sites, such as the shrine in Iztapalapa. Most related structures were lost during subway construction.

Inside the pyramid, archaeologists found rare offerings like “La Monita,” a carved monkey sculpture painted red and black, carrying the mask of Ehecatl with two snakes entwined. This unique artifact offers insight into the spiritual symbolism of the Aztecs.

Archaeological studies on Ehecatl began in 1967 under Jordi Gussinyer, a Catalonian archaeologist. INAH maintains detailed records of the excavation, documenting each artifact’s location and the temple’s four construction stages, similar to the famous Templo Mayor.

The Ehecatl temple’s circular base is designed as a pedestal for the wind god, showcasing ancient Aztec architectural innovation. Its survival beneath the bustling subway station is a testament to Mexico City’s layered history, where past and present coexist underground.

Visiting Pino Suarez station offers a unique chance to witness ancient Aztec culture firsthand, hidden beneath one of the busiest metro hubs. It’s a reminder that Mexico City’s foundation literally rests on centuries of indigenous history waiting to be discovered.