A Surreal Journey Into Quetzalcoatl’s Nest

Among leafy paths and flowering vines, an architectural serpent weaves its tale.

This photo is via El Nido de Quetzalcóatl. All other photos are my own.

We arrived in Mexico City just as the sun edged above the horizon, spilling gold over the drowsy streets. Our destination? Quetzalcoatl’s Nest, an otherworldly, snake-shaped wonder designed by architect Javier Senosiain, just a short drive from the city’s heart. 

Our first glimpse of Quetzalcoatl’s Nest was captivating—its undulating curves emerging from the earth like a myth come to life. The serpentine structure, with organic shapes coiling through the landscape, created the illusion of a living, breathing creature. As we descended the stairs along the snake’s back, it felt like tumbling into Wonderland.

Inside our apartment, each window framed a scene from nature: In one bedroom, a round porthole revealed a hillside draped in monstera leaves; in the living room, we could see the snake’s open mouth from our spot inside its belly. As we settled in, the influence of Senosiain's mentor, Mathias Goeritz, became clear. Goeritz’s “emotional architecture” was all about evoking feelings of joy, contemplation and comfort.

The next morning, we ventured into Parque Quetzalcoatl, an environmental project that Senosiain began developing in 2000. Snake-like structures adorned with mosaic spirals guided us through the park’s mineral, plant and animal kingdoms. These realms boasted grass-covered amphitheaters, edible gardens and rainwater-harvesting ponds, where we lounged on plush sod seats, inhaled lemon balm and lavender, picked forget-me-nots, ate tomatoes straight from the vine, and floated on sculptural rafts.

Labyrinthine paths led us to hidden grottoes and gardens, each turn unveiling something new. We encountered tapestries of cactus and lofty pine trees, their forms mingling with spiky chayote squash and stalky Mexican sage. Banana passionflowers dangled from vines, while clusters of purple and pink "Wicked Queen" fuchsia added bold splashes of color. Caves glimmered with crystals and a greenhouse with stained glass in every color of the rainbow made us feel as though we were inside a kaleidoscope.

On our last night, the sky erupted in pink and orange, like molten lava spilling across the horizon. Leaving felt like waking from a vivid dream, a reluctant return to reality. Yet, we left with a connection to the land, shaped by Senosiain’s vision. His work isn’t just seen; it’s felt and experienced.

If you enjoyed this post, here’s a few ways you can support my work:

• Explore “Arrangements,” a series inspired by the natural world, featuring leafy trees, angel’s trumpets & passionflowers.

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