Tenochtitlan is remembered with awe and a lot of people are nevertheless curious about it until these days. The first Europeans who came to this city most likely couldn't believe what they saw with their eyes once they first saw this spot. Rock monuments, stone buildings and causeways littered the sprawling city. And what's more, the buildings that these Europeans saw literally looked like they rose from the water. You will find also nicely built dams around the city which protect this flouring city from floods. Here's an in depth glimpse to this beautiful ancient city called Tenochtitlan, that the Aztec people referred to as their home.
Main temples
Smack in the center of the city, all buildings in diverse shapes, sizes could be located. All are comparable in relation to beauty and the purposes of these buildings located in the middle of the city are somewhat the same. Someplace known as public buildings or as locations of learning (school) but the majority of those buildings were there due to religious purposes. Aztec temples committed to various gods and goddesses littered the place. But there found in the center of it all is a walled square that's dwelling to more than forty buildings which includes the main temple of worship (the temple of Quetzalcoatl), the temple of the sun, places of sacrifice (where by they sacrifice the warriors and from time to time the prisoners of war) and other modest temples committed to other minor deities. The highest tower which could be located in the walled square was way taller than that of the Cathedral of Seville.
The palace of Moctezuma
But if the initial Europeans were amazed at the center of the city, they would've been much more amazed at what is located next to that walled square - the palace of Moctezuma. The palace contained most likely around a hundred rooms, every room having its personal bathroom, which had been there for the nobles or guests. For certain, no room here was poorly furnished. But the palace was not the only fascinating spot close to the equally fascinating walled square.
Great Pyramid - Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid
One more pretty significant structure in this wonderful city was the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan or Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid. This pyramid dominated the region likely since it was around 50 or 60 m high. This Aztec pyramid was also referred to as Templo Mayor and several other buildings that had been related with this temple surrounded the pyramid's base. Sadly, just after the conquest of the Spaniards, the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was mostly destroyed.
The Foundation of Tenochtitlan
This beautiful city was founded in 1325 and sadly, it fell into ruins on the 13th of August, year 1521.
The End of Ancient Tenochtitlan
Alva Ixtlilxochitl said that the city, when it went to ruins, it also took with it the lives of many people and a lot of the Aztecs died. It is also stated that the nobles all but vanished, save for a couple of young persons and lords.
Cuauhtemoc, known as the last emperor, was imprisoned and later on, he was hanged for the reason that they suspected him of planning on undertaking something against the Spanish conquerors.
The Aztec empire fell probably because all the neighboring tribes sided with the Spaniards (the "conquista de Tenochtitlan"). If the Aztecs had been 'friendlier' to those folks and didn't took those individuals as sacrificial lambs to be given to their gods and goddesses, then the Aztec empire would likely be able to ward off the conquerors.
But when this wonderful city was virtually burned to the ground, the Spaniards, especially Hernan Cortes, didn't just leave this place and took each ounce of item that was of worth. Instead, they rebuilt this city and named it the New Spain of the Americas even though numerous were against the idea of rebuilding this location that was once home to a whole lot of violence which includes human sacrifice. Later on, they would call this once flourishing city of Tenochtitlan as Mexico City.
Main temples
Smack in the center of the city, all buildings in diverse shapes, sizes could be located. All are comparable in relation to beauty and the purposes of these buildings located in the middle of the city are somewhat the same. Someplace known as public buildings or as locations of learning (school) but the majority of those buildings were there due to religious purposes. Aztec temples committed to various gods and goddesses littered the place. But there found in the center of it all is a walled square that's dwelling to more than forty buildings which includes the main temple of worship (the temple of Quetzalcoatl), the temple of the sun, places of sacrifice (where by they sacrifice the warriors and from time to time the prisoners of war) and other modest temples committed to other minor deities. The highest tower which could be located in the walled square was way taller than that of the Cathedral of Seville.
The palace of Moctezuma
But if the initial Europeans were amazed at the center of the city, they would've been much more amazed at what is located next to that walled square - the palace of Moctezuma. The palace contained most likely around a hundred rooms, every room having its personal bathroom, which had been there for the nobles or guests. For certain, no room here was poorly furnished. But the palace was not the only fascinating spot close to the equally fascinating walled square.
Great Pyramid - Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid
One more pretty significant structure in this wonderful city was the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan or Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid. This pyramid dominated the region likely since it was around 50 or 60 m high. This Aztec pyramid was also referred to as Templo Mayor and several other buildings that had been related with this temple surrounded the pyramid's base. Sadly, just after the conquest of the Spaniards, the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was mostly destroyed.
The Foundation of Tenochtitlan
This beautiful city was founded in 1325 and sadly, it fell into ruins on the 13th of August, year 1521.
The End of Ancient Tenochtitlan
Alva Ixtlilxochitl said that the city, when it went to ruins, it also took with it the lives of many people and a lot of the Aztecs died. It is also stated that the nobles all but vanished, save for a couple of young persons and lords.
Cuauhtemoc, known as the last emperor, was imprisoned and later on, he was hanged for the reason that they suspected him of planning on undertaking something against the Spanish conquerors.
The Aztec empire fell probably because all the neighboring tribes sided with the Spaniards (the "conquista de Tenochtitlan"). If the Aztecs had been 'friendlier' to those folks and didn't took those individuals as sacrificial lambs to be given to their gods and goddesses, then the Aztec empire would likely be able to ward off the conquerors.
But when this wonderful city was virtually burned to the ground, the Spaniards, especially Hernan Cortes, didn't just leave this place and took each ounce of item that was of worth. Instead, they rebuilt this city and named it the New Spain of the Americas even though numerous were against the idea of rebuilding this location that was once home to a whole lot of violence which includes human sacrifice. Later on, they would call this once flourishing city of Tenochtitlan as Mexico City.
About the Author:
The writer is interested in Aztec history and has a full webpage featuring the Aztecs. There you could obtain facts about Aztecs including ancient tenochtitlan. For more of Aztec history, see this article.
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