Montezuma Castle National
Monument
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| Address |
2800 Montezuma Castle Hwy, Camp Verde |
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| Phone |
520-567-3322 |
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| Website |
www.nps.gov/moca |
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Ancient Cliff dwellings ought to be points of pilgrimage for any
visitor to the southwest, and those within this National Monument
are no exception. Forget the misnomer of the title – the 800
year old dwellings were influenced by Toltec traders rather than
Aztecs, and they were built by the Sinagua Indians, ancestors of
the Hopi.
The structure, fitting snugly in an elevated cliff, is astonishingly
large – five stories with twenty rooms – and though
you won’t be allowed to climb up to it, its size and grace
will significantly inform your understanding of Native American
history. The displays in the visitor center will only enlarge this
education.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is about half an hour by car
south of Sedona, via Routes 179 and 17, but the drive is as always
very scenic. You’ll be well rewarded by this excursion outside
of town.
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