San Miguel has its own pre-Hispanic pyramid and today ceremonies are taking place to commemorate the opening of the pyramid complex to the public.  Excavation only began ten years ago because prior that it was private property.

Banners were posted all over town last week in anticipation for the Big Day.  A grandstand was erected in the center plaza, and for the past three hours, there have been speeches, music  - Mexican as well as 4 opera singers going on non-stop.  I know because they are using a loud speaker and I can hear it all very clearly four blocks away!  I don't know how much longer it will continue (it is 8pm now) but I bet it ends with fireworks.  Mexicans are big on fireworks.

Below is what CNN Mexico has to say about the pyramid. (Canade de la Virgen is the town where the complex is located.) Notice that they locate San Miguel in Peru instead of Mexico!

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (AP) - An archaeological site that served as a place of pilgrimage and that could only be inhabited by priests and hierarchs opened its doors in the state of Guanajuato, after 10 years of research and restoration.

'La Cañada de la Virgen', as it is called, was built by the Otomi culture and flourished between 540 and 1050 AD. It was a place where they performed offerings and rituals, said the archaeologist responsible for the place, Gabriela Zepeda.

During the work the bodies of a girl and a chief were found buried with a "rich gift" and accessories, adds Zepeda." Apparently the chief's body was buried there long after his death," he said. The area could not be explored before because it was private property. 

They also found pots, metals and seeds used by the Otomi culture or Hñahñu , as it calls itself this ethnic group. 

The site has several buildings, including the so-called 'House of the 13 heavens', designed according to the sun's path. At dawn on April 17 and 25 August, the sun passes through its portal.

There is a garden of 5.000 square meters with 356 species of plants used in pre-Hispanic times and a hydraulic project called The Pond , which served to store water and irrigate plants.

The site is located 30 kilometers from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, in central Peru.

 Above is one of the banners displayed in town this week and below is a collection of objects arranged to look like one of the burials that were uncovered.  This display was in the center plaza yesterday.

Having not visited the site, I took pictures off the internet. (below)