Zempoala 
Following the coast road from La Antigua another 10km/6mi past José Cardel, there is a turning to the left which leads to Zempoala or Cempoala (Náhuatl: "Cempoatl" = "20 water") 3km/2mi away. From the 13th c. to the Spanish conquest this was the last capital of the Totonacs. In the second half of the 15th c. the Aztecs conquered the Totonacs and made them tributary.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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23 days after his landing in Mexico, on May 15th 1519, Cortés met the Totonac king Chicomacatl, called "Cacique Gordo" (fat king) by the Spanish, in Zempoala. The conquistador succeeded in making allies of the Totonacs, who were hostile towards the Aztecs.
The ruins at Zempoala (Cempoala) covers 5sq.km/2sq.mi in all and comprises ten groups of buildings, although today only a few which have been restored can be visited. They date from the last 300 years before the arrival of the Spanish. Certain of the buildings display quite pronounced Aztec stylistic elements. Some of the finds, however, lead to the conclusion that Zempoala was probably already settled in the first millennium ad.
The ruins at Zempoala (Cempoala) covers 5sq.km/2sq.mi in all and comprises ten groups of buildings, although today only a few which have been restored can be visited. They date from the last 300 years before the arrival of the Spanish. Certain of the buildings display quite pronounced Aztec stylistic elements. Some of the finds, however, lead to the conclusion that Zempoala was probably already settled in the first millennium ad.
Related Attractions
Great Pyramid
A building of later construction is the Great Pyramid (Gran Pirámide) at the west end of the square. In reality it is a row of platforms placed one on top of another, which taper as they go upwards.
Main Temple
On the north side of the principal square is the Main Temple (Templo Mayor) or Temple of the Thirteen Steps. The pyramid is 11 m (36 ft) high; thus the height of each of the thirteen steps is 85 cm (33 in). The platform on which the building was constructed measures 67 3 40 m (220 3 131 ft). At the top of the pyramid it is possible to make out the remains of a rectangular temple.
Temple of the Chimneys
At the east end of the square is the Temple of the Chimneys (Templo de las Chimeneas). A broad flight of steps leads up to the top of the six-storey building. On the upper platform there are the remains of some columns which gave the building its name.
Temple of the Little Heads
To the east of the square is the interesting Temple of the Little Heads (Templo de las Caritas) which in terms of its construction resembles the Great Pyramid. The niches set into the walls once contained a total of 360 earthenware heads, from which the building derives its name.
