Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl

Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl are the two great volcanoes that rise between the State of Mexico and Puebla, in view of the Valley of Mexico. Popocatépetl, “smoking mountain” in Nahuatl, is one of the country’s most active volcanoes and its second-highest peak, at about 5,400 metres; it stands where the State of Mexico, Morelos and Puebla meet. People affectionately call it “el Popo” or “Don Goyo”, after a legend in which its spirit appears as an old man named Gregorio.

Iztaccíhuatl, “white woman” in Nahuatl, is dormant and is known as “the Sleeping Woman” because its silhouette looks like a woman lying down. A pre-Hispanic legend tells that the warrior Popocatépetl watches forever over the sleep of his beloved Iztaccíhuatl.