The Great City of Tenochtitlan
The Great Temple (Templo Mayor)
The heart of Tenochtitlan, this massive stepped pyramid dominated the city center. Dedicated to Tlaloc (god of rain) and Huitzilopochtli (god of war), it stood as the spiritual and political center of the Aztec Empire. Archaeological excavations have revealed multiple construction phases, showing how each ruler expanded upon this sacred structure.
Chinampas (Floating Gardens)
These ingenious agricultural innovations were artificial islands created in the shallow lake beds around Tenochtitlan. Made from woven reeds and mud, they provided incredibly fertile farmland that could feed the massive population of the city. These "floating gardens" were so productive they could yield multiple harvests per year.
The Great Causeways
Three major causeways connected the island city to the mainland, serving as both transportation routes and defensive structures. These raised stone roads included drawbridges that could be lifted to protect the city. The main causeway stretched for miles and was wide enough for ten horses to ride abreast.
Tlatelolco Market
The largest market in the Americas, Tlatelolco could accommodate over 60,000 traders daily. Here, goods from across Mesoamerica were exchanged: cacao beans used as currency, precious jade, colorful feathers, exotic foods, and intricate textiles. Spanish conquistadors marveled at its organization and the variety of goods available.
Palace of Moctezuma
The ruler's magnificent palace complex featured hundreds of rooms, beautiful gardens, and even a zoo with exotic animals from across the empire. The palace served as both royal residence and administrative center, with courts, libraries, and meeting halls where the business of governing the vast Aztec Empire was conducted.
Fresh Water Aqueducts
Despite being surrounded by saltwater Lake Texcoco, Tenochtitlan had abundant fresh water thanks to sophisticated aqueduct systems. These brought spring water from Chapultepec hill across miles of lake via raised stone channels. The engineering was so advanced that the Spanish continued using these systems after conquest.
Maps of Ancient Mesoamerica
The Aztec Empire at its Peak (1519 CE)
At its height under Moctezuma II, the Aztec Empire controlled much of central Mexico, from the Gulf coast to the Pacific. The empire encompassed diverse landscapes from tropical lowlands to high mountain valleys, connected by an extensive network of tribute relationships and trade routes that brought wealth and exotic goods to Tenochtitlan.
Mesoamerica Before Spanish Contact
Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica was home to numerous sophisticated civilizations including the Maya in the south, the Aztecs in central Mexico, and various other peoples like the Zapotecs, Mixtecs, and Tarascans. This map shows the cultural regions and major cities that existed when Europeans first arrived in the early 16th century.
The Legacy Lives On
Though Tenochtitlan fell to Spanish conquistadors in 1521, its legacy endures in modern Mexico City, built upon its ruins. The ingenuity of Aztec engineering, agriculture, and urban planning continues to inspire, while their rich cultural traditions live on in the hearts and practices of millions of Mexican people today.