![]() Though little of Tenochtitlan remains, there is evidence that the sacred precinct was built over much earlier structures, that the temples themselves were reconstructed and added to many times and within them were buried offerings such as the coral, shells and other sea life from the coast. In addition to magnificent works of Aztec art, excavation of the temples has revealed caches of art from many earlier Mesoamerican civilizations as far back as the Olmecs, illustrating that the Aztecs were appreciative and even reverent art collectors. Where was it located Tenochtitlan was located on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco in what is today south central Mexico. It was founded in 1325 and served as the capital until the Aztecs were conquered by Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes in 1520. Some of the soldiers asked if what they saw was not a dream. Tenochtitlan was the capital city and center of the Aztec Empire. ![]() ![]() It was like the enchantments in the book of Amadis, because of high towers, rues and other buildings, all of masonry, which rose from the water. During this migration priests had carried a huge idol of the god Huitzilopochtli, who whispered directions, gave the Méxica their name and promised great wealth and prosperity if he was suitably worshiped.Īlthough the city was destroyed and over the following centuries extensively built over, the chroniclers of the 16th century AD, fortunately, recorded in great detail the buildings and works of art that had once made Tenochtitlan one of the greatest cities in Mesoamerica and, with over 200,000 residents, certainly the most populous.Īs Bernal Diaz del Castillo, one of Cortés’ men put it on first seeing the city: In Aztec mythology the founders of the city migrated from the legendary Aztlán cave in the northwest desert which involved a protracted journey that eventually led to Lake Texcoco. Like many European maps of the time, this map uses a conventional rendering of buildingsmany of them appearing as turreted castlesto signify towns. ![]() The traditional founding date of the city was 1345 AD and it remained the most important Aztec center until its destruction at the hands of the conquering Spanish led by Hernán Cortés in 1521 AD. Introduction The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was an island city and it appears here ringed by neighboring cities in the Valley of Mexico. Tenochtitlan, located on an island near the western shore of Lake Texcoco in central Mexico, was the capital city and religious center of the Aztec civilization. ![]()
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