Parque Israel C Téllez

Veracruz

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The bustling heart of Papantla, there always seems to be something going on in or around this zócalo terraced into the hillside – head here on Friday evenings to watch or take part in the danzón when a live band serenades dancers. Facing the square is a symbolic 50m-long bas relief mural, designed by Papantla artist Teodoro Cano in 1979 and depicting Totonac and Veracruz history.

A serpent stretches along the mural, bizarrely linking a pre-Hispanic stone carver, El Tajín’s Pirámide de los Nichos, and an oil rig.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • The Pyramid of the Niches at the EL Tajin archeological site.

    El Tajín

    3.6 MILES

    No one knows for sure who built this mighty pre-Hispanic city of around 20,000 inhabitants (The Totonacs? The Huastecs?), which is why archaeologists…

  • The Pyramid of the Niches at the EL Tajin archeological site.

    Pirámide de los Nichos

    3.64 MILES

    El Tajín’s most emblematic structure, the beautifully proportioned Pyramid of the Niches, is just off the Plaza Menor. The six lower levels, each…

  • The Yohualichan Pyramids, a a Pre-Columbian archaeological site from Totonacan indigenous culture, built around 200 A.D.

    Yohualichán

    28.17 MILES

    This ceremonial pre-Hispanic site inhabited by Los Totonacas has niche 'pyramids' similar to El Tajín’s (Veracruz) that are in varying states of ruin. The…

  • El Tajín Chico

    El Tajín Chico

    3.59 MILES

    El Tajín Chico was the government area of the ancient city and would have been home to the ruling classes. Many of the buildings at El Tajín Chico have…

  • Juego de Pelota Sur

    Juego de Pelota Sur

    3.62 MILES

    Some 17 ball courts have been found at El Tajín. The Juego de Pelota Sur dates from about 1150 and is the most famous of the courts, owing to the six…

  • Museo de la Ciudad Teodoro Cano

    Museo de la Ciudad Teodoro Cano

    0.18 MILES

    This small and immensely satisfying museum displays the fine paintings of celebrated local artist Teodoro Cano (b 1932). His monochromatic and super…

  • Plaza Menor

    Plaza Menor

    3.59 MILES

    Beyond the Plaza del Arroyo in the south of the site, flanked by pyramids on four sides, is the Plaza Menor (Lesser Plaza), part of El Tajín’s main…

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Nearby Veracruz attractions

2. Volador Monument

0.12 MILES

There are fine view's from the hill atop which towers this 1988 statue by Teodoro Cano portraying a volador musician playing his pipe and preparing for…

3. Museo de la Ciudad Teodoro Cano

0.18 MILES

This small and immensely satisfying museum displays the fine paintings of celebrated local artist Teodoro Cano (b 1932). His monochromatic and super…

4. El Tajín Chico

3.59 MILES

El Tajín Chico was the government area of the ancient city and would have been home to the ruling classes. Many of the buildings at El Tajín Chico have…

5. Plaza Menor

3.59 MILES

Beyond the Plaza del Arroyo in the south of the site, flanked by pyramids on four sides, is the Plaza Menor (Lesser Plaza), part of El Tajín’s main…

6. El Tajín

3.6 MILES

No one knows for sure who built this mighty pre-Hispanic city of around 20,000 inhabitants (The Totonacs? The Huastecs?), which is why archaeologists…

7. Juego de Pelota Sur

3.62 MILES

Some 17 ball courts have been found at El Tajín. The Juego de Pelota Sur dates from about 1150 and is the most famous of the courts, owing to the six…

8. Museo El Tajín

3.62 MILES

Do drop in to the on-site museum at the entrance to El Tajín (included in your ticket price) to see an excellent model of the site. It also displays a…