Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
&
Templo Mayor
Construction
Stages
The Templo Mayor was
enlarged seven times as
the stature and pros-
perity of the Aztecs
increased. These enlarge-
ments, referred to as
construction stages, can
be seen on a walk
through the ruins
(right)
.
%
Chacmool Carving
This polychrome
sculpted figure
(above)
in
a reclining pose cradles a
bowl on its belly which
was used to hold peace-
ful offerings to Tláloc.
)
Tenochtitlán
Ceremonial Center
This large scale model of
Templo Mayor surround-
ed by other buildings in
the ceremonial
center of Tenochtitlán
creates a powerful
visual contrast to the
Spanish colonial build-
ings standing in the city
center. The imposing
architecture of the
temple and the city of
Tenochtitlán were so
impressive that the early
Spanish colonizers
compared it to the great
cities of Europe.
Entrance
Key
Ruins
First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
Fourth Floor
Fifth Floor
Site Guide
Look at the fountain
near the entrance which
depicts the pre-Hispanic
Aztec city of ancient
Tenochtitlán. Turn left as
you enter the gate and
follow the one-way
outdoor walkway
through the ruins. At the
far end of the ruins the
path ends at the
museum entrance. Look
at the model of the
Tenochtitlán Ceremonial
Center as it would have
once stood, and then
visit the eight museum
rooms in sequence. Turn
right at the museum
entrance, watch the
video before proceeding
up the stairs to room 1.
Continue through rooms
2, 3, 4, and 5. Rooms 4
and 5 are interconnec-
ted. Finally take the
stairs back down to
rooms 6, 7, and 8.
*
Temple of Tláloc
The Aztecs made
peaceful offerings to the
Chacmool sculpture in
the Temple of Tláloc, god
of rain, to ensure
successful harvests,
fertility, and abundance.
^
Eagle Knights
Two of these remark-
able life-size clay sculp-
tures, each comprising
five interlocking parts,
were discovered in the
House of the Eagles near
the temple. One of them
is on display in the
museum
(above)
. The
Eagle Knights were elite
Aztec warriors who
dressed as birds of prey.
(
Serpent Head
Sculptures
Intricately carved and
brightly painted stone
serpent heads
(above)
are seen to guard the
base of the main
staircase of this great
Aztec temple.
17
Templo Mayor was a symbolic representation of an Aztec sacred
mythical place,
Coatepec
or “the Hill of the Serpent”
