Tenochtitlan is remembered with awe and lots of people are nevertheless curious about it until currently. The very first Europeans who came to this city probably couldn't believe what they saw with their eyes once they first saw this place. 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 discover also nicely built dams around the city which safeguard this flouring city from floods. Here's an in depth glimpse to this wonderful ancient city referred to as Tenochtitlan, that the Aztec people named their home.
Main temples
Smack in the center of the city, all buildings in unique shapes, sizes could be located. All are identical in regards to beauty and the purposes of those buildings located in the middle of the city are somewhat identical. Someplace recognized as public buildings or as areas of learning (school) but most of these buildings had been there due to religious purposes. Aztec temples dedicated to unique gods and goddesses littered the spot. But there located in the center of it all is a walled square which is dwelling to more than forty buildings such as the main temple of worship (the temple of Quetzalcoatl), the temple of the sun, areas of sacrifice (where by they sacrifice the warriors and occasionally the prisoners of war) and other tiny temples devoted to other minor deities. The highest tower that can be found in the walled square was way taller than that of the Cathedral of Seville.
The palace of Moctezuma
But if the first Europeans had been amazed at the center of the city, they would've been even more amazed at what's located next to that walled square - the palace of Moctezuma. The palace contained likely about a hundred rooms, each room having its personal bathroom, which had been there for the nobles or visitors. For certain, no room here was poorly furnished. However the palace was not the only fascinating location close to the equally interesting walled square.
Great Pyramid - Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid
An additional quite important structure in this fantastic city was the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan or Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid. This pyramid dominated the area probably because it was around 50 or 60 m high. This Aztec pyramid was also referred to as Templo Mayor and a lot of other buildings that had been connected with this temple surrounded the pyramid's base. Sadly, immediately after the conquest of the Spaniards, the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was mostly destroyed.
The Foundation of Tenochtitlan
This lovely 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 stated that the city, when it went to ruins, it also took with it the lives of lots of individuals and a lot of the Aztecs died. It's also stated that the nobles all but vanished, save for a few young men and women and lords.
Cuauhtemoc, recognized as the final emperor, was imprisoned and later on, he was hanged for the reason that they suspected him of planning on doing something against the Spanish conquerors.
The Aztec empire fell probably since all of the neighboring tribes sided with the Spaniards (the "conquista de Tenochtitlan"). If the Aztecs were 'friendlier' to those individuals and didn't took those folks as sacrificial lambs to be given to their gods and goddesses, then the Aztec empire would in all probability be able to ward off the conquerors.
But when this beautiful city was pretty much burned to the ground, the Spaniards, specifically Hernan Cortes, didn't just leave this place and took every single ounce of item that was of value. As an alternative, they rebuilt this city and known as it the New Spain of the Americas although numerous had been against the idea of rebuilding this location that was once home to a good deal of violence like 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 unique shapes, sizes could be located. All are identical in regards to beauty and the purposes of those buildings located in the middle of the city are somewhat identical. Someplace recognized as public buildings or as areas of learning (school) but most of these buildings had been there due to religious purposes. Aztec temples dedicated to unique gods and goddesses littered the spot. But there located in the center of it all is a walled square which is dwelling to more than forty buildings such as the main temple of worship (the temple of Quetzalcoatl), the temple of the sun, areas of sacrifice (where by they sacrifice the warriors and occasionally the prisoners of war) and other tiny temples devoted to other minor deities. The highest tower that can be found in the walled square was way taller than that of the Cathedral of Seville.
The palace of Moctezuma
But if the first Europeans had been amazed at the center of the city, they would've been even more amazed at what's located next to that walled square - the palace of Moctezuma. The palace contained likely about a hundred rooms, each room having its personal bathroom, which had been there for the nobles or visitors. For certain, no room here was poorly furnished. However the palace was not the only fascinating location close to the equally interesting walled square.
Great Pyramid - Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid
An additional quite important structure in this fantastic city was the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan or Tenochtitlan Sun Pyramid. This pyramid dominated the area probably because it was around 50 or 60 m high. This Aztec pyramid was also referred to as Templo Mayor and a lot of other buildings that had been connected with this temple surrounded the pyramid's base. Sadly, immediately after the conquest of the Spaniards, the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was mostly destroyed.
The Foundation of Tenochtitlan
This lovely 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 stated that the city, when it went to ruins, it also took with it the lives of lots of individuals and a lot of the Aztecs died. It's also stated that the nobles all but vanished, save for a few young men and women and lords.
Cuauhtemoc, recognized as the final emperor, was imprisoned and later on, he was hanged for the reason that they suspected him of planning on doing something against the Spanish conquerors.
The Aztec empire fell probably since all of the neighboring tribes sided with the Spaniards (the "conquista de Tenochtitlan"). If the Aztecs were 'friendlier' to those individuals and didn't took those folks as sacrificial lambs to be given to their gods and goddesses, then the Aztec empire would in all probability be able to ward off the conquerors.
But when this beautiful city was pretty much burned to the ground, the Spaniards, specifically Hernan Cortes, didn't just leave this place and took every single ounce of item that was of value. As an alternative, they rebuilt this city and known as it the New Spain of the Americas although numerous had been against the idea of rebuilding this location that was once home to a good deal of violence like 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 complete site featuring the Aztecs. There you'll be able to obtain facts about Aztecs including ancient tenochtitlan. For more of Aztec history, see this article.