The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has finished restoration work on Teotihuacán’s Pyramid of the Moon, reopening climbing access to the first level under strict safety measures.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), under Mexico’s Ministry of Culture, announced this week the successful completion of extensive conservation work on the Pyramid of the Moon in the Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone, allowing visitors once again to climb to its first platform after a five-year closure. The reopening, effective Monday, permits access exclusively to the pyramid’s lower tier, a precaution intended to safeguard both the monument’s structural integrity and its invaluable heritage features. Authorities have urged patrons to comply with prescribed safety measures, including wearing sturdy, comfortable footwear and refraining from running, jumping or playing on the steps, as the climb demands significant physical effort and could pose health risks for those with pre-existing conditions.
The pyramid, which had been off-limits since early 2020 when pandemic-related restrictions were imposed, benefited from uninterrupted restoration efforts that resumed in earnest once health protocols allowed. Over the course of thirty months, conservation specialists undertook a meticulous program of stone cleaning, mortar repointing, and stabilization of the foundational bedrock. According to INAH’s official statement, technicians also applied protective consolidants to friable sections of volcanic tuff, repaired erosion scars on the terrace façades, and reinforced internal drainage channels to prevent water infiltration during seasonal rains. These interventions, conducted under constant archaeological supervision, aimed to reverse decades of weathering while preserving the pyramid’s original construction techniques.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to conserving Mexico’s ancestral heritage for future generations,” said Ada Salazar, head of the Association of Aviation Flight Attendants (ASSA) and honorary visitor to the restoration site, who emphasized the cultural importance of Teotihuacán. “The Pyramid of the Moon stands as a testament to the architectural ingenuity of our pre-Hispanic civilizations. We invite everyone to experience this renewed landmark responsibly.” Though climbing has resumed at the Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun and the nearby Temple of Quetzalcoatl remain off-limits to protect their more delicate upper structures. In 2024, an isolated incident drew public attention when a visitor illegally ascended the Moon’s lower steps to take photographs; no structural damage was reported, but guards were unable to intervene in time to issue a fine.
Teotihuacán, located roughly 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City in the State of Mexico, was one of the most populous urban centers of the ancient world, home to an estimated 100,000 inhabitants at its zenith between 150 and 450 CE. The city’s broad avenues, monumental pyramids and residential complexes influenced political, economic and religious practices across Mesoamerica and remain a focal point of archaeological research. Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1987, Teotihuacán welcomes over two million visitors annually, contributing significantly to local and national tourism revenues. The recent closure had generated concerns among tour operators and nearby communities, who rely on steady tourist flows to sustain hospitality services and artisanal markets.
Beyond structural conservation, recent collaborative research by INAH and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has illuminated new aspects of the Pyramid of the Moon’s ceremonial role. In 2017 and 2018, archaeologists uncovered an eight-meter-deep tunnel beneath the plaza fronting the pyramid, believed to symbolize an entrance to the underworld. Murals discovered within feature iconography of jaguars, serpents and eagles—motifs that underscore Teotihuacán’s intertwining of natural and supernatural realms. Adjacent chambers revealed offerings of pottery, obsidian blades and animal remains, while ritual deposits suggest the performance of human sacrifices, affirming the pyramid’s function as a site of communal rites to secure fertility and cosmic balance.
INAH restoration teams coordinated closely with these research groups to ensure that any interventions respected the site’s archaeological complexity. Protective coverings were installed over newly exposed mural fragments, and drainage improvements were designed to channel rainwater away from sensitive areas. “Balancing access and preservation is always our primary challenge,” explained Dr. María Elena Rivera, lead conservator for the project. “By limiting climbs to the first terrace, we can both accommodate public interest and minimize wear on the monument’s higher levels—a model we hope to apply at other major sites.”
The reopening is expected to reinvigorate guided tour programs that integrate archaeological interpretation with visitor experience. Local guides, now retrained on the latest conservation findings, will emphasize the pyramid’s symbolic architecture and the significance of the newly discovered tunnel during their presentations. INAH has also deployed multilingual signage throughout the site, outlining safety recommendations and summarizing recent discoveries to enhance public understanding. Audio guides and mobile-app content will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect the latest archaeological insights and restoration milestones.
Looking ahead, INAH plans to monitor visitor impact through periodic structural assessments and to implement a reservation system during peak seasons to avoid overcrowding. Future phases of conservation will address the plaza’s peripheral structures and explore additional subsurface sondages in collaboration with academic partners. As interest in Teotihuacán continues to grow, authorities underscore the shared responsibility of residents, visitors and scholars to protect this emblematic vestige of Mexico’s ancient civilizations.
With its stepped silhouette once again accessible against the highland sky, the Pyramid of the Moon invites a return to exploration and wonder, even as it stands safeguarded by a new generation of preservation measures. By combining rigorous scientific methods with community engagement, INAH affirms that preserving the past and promoting sustainable tourism can go hand in hand—ensuring that Teotihuacán endures as both a living heritage site and a source of discovery for years to come.
