Popocatepetl & Iztaccíhuatl: the Love Story of Mexico City's Mountain Ranges

Eager to create your own tale in Mexico City? Join Culture Trip’s expertly curated five-day adventure in the capital. Led by a Local Insider, you’ll discover hidden spots with a small group of like-minded travelers. And if you’re interested in exploring pre-Hispanic Mexico, a journey down the Xochimilco canals and a trip to Teotihuacán will do the trick.

During the reign of the Aztecs in the Valley of Mexico, a harsh and punishing tribute system was imposed on the surrounding provinces and towns. It was one of the things that would lead to the undoing of the Aztec empire, but at the time was a great source of wealth and labor for the capital city Tenochtitlan.

The local ruler of the Tlaxcala people, who were once as powerful as the Aztecs but lost some of their influence through several deals, were fed up with the harsh tribute system. The local chieftain decided he would go to war against the Aztecs.

This chieftain had a beautiful daughter, princess Iztaccíhuatl, who had fallen in love with one of the tribe’s great warriors, Popocatepetl. When Popocatepetl asked her father for her hand in marriage he offered it gladly, as long as Popocatepetl came back victoriously from the war.

While Popocatepetl was away at war, one of Iztaccíhuatl’s jealous suitors, Citlaltepetl, told her that Popocatepetl had died in battle. Grief-stricken, Iztaccíhuatl cried until her heart stopped. Upon return from battle, finding his beloved dead, Popocatepetl was inconsolable and wandered the streets day and night mourning her.

Finally, the warrior Popocatepetl decided he would build Itza a massive tomb and lay her body on top in homage. He built an enormous tomb and carried her body to the top, and then knelt beside her with a smoking torch to watch over her.

Centuries passed. They were covered with snow and earth until they became the volcanoes they are today, with Itza in the shape of a reclining woman and Popo a kneeling man.

It is said that the still-active volcano, Popocatepetl, erupts occasionally because his pain still burns deep within his heart. The jealous lover, Citlaltepetl, became what is now the Pico de Orizaba, a distant volcano forced to witness the everlasting love of Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatepetl for eternity.