Montezuma Castle is a cliff-dwelling built by the Sinagua over 800 years ago. Pioneer settlers romantically believed it was built by Aztec refugees from the Spanish conquerors in Central Mexico, and named it for the last Astec emperor, Montezuma II (1502-1520)

The name "Montezuma Castle" endured though neither Montezuma nor the Aztecs came North of Mexico. The "castle" was constructed by a very different people... it may have been built for defensive purposes, but its location also had several ecological advantages : protection from the rain and snow, and it helped to conserve fuel by retaining heat in winter.

Can you see the squirrel on this picture ??