Geometries of Life: Xochicalco and the Gardens of Mexico

Xochicalco, whose name in Nahuatl means “place of the house of flowers,” was one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Mesoamerica between the 7th and 10th centuries. Its Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, with its bas-reliefs of extraordinary geometric precision, is one of the great achievements of pre-Hispanic art. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Paulina Sánchez, a literary scholar and cultural heritage educator, will guide us through Xochicalco with a perspective that goes beyond conventional archaeology: she will explore the calendars carved into stone, the site’s astronomical orientation, and the symbolic language that the ancient architects inscribed on every surface.

In the afternoon, we’ll take that conversation about geometry and order to the largest private botanical garden in Latin America: Jardines de México, in Morelos. We’ll explore the Italian Garden, the Labyrinth of Life, the Cactus Garden, and the serene Japanese Garden. Lunch at the restaurant, surrounded by carefully curated nature, will cap off a day of contemplation and wonder.