Table of Contents
How tall are the Aztec temples?
Tenochtitlan, the great Aztec capital, housed the Great Pyramid, a four-stepped structure some 60 meters high. At its top, two shrines honored Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of sun and war, and Tlaloc, god of rain and fertility.
What was the size of Tenochtitlan?
The Aztec built their capital city, Tenochtitlan, on Lake Texcoco. Built on two islands, the area was extended using chinampas—small, artificial islands created above the waterline that were later consolidated. Tenochtitlan eventually reached an area of more than 13 square kilometers (five square miles).
What was the tallest building in the Aztec empire?
The largest temple was a pyramid called the Templo Mayor. It was the tallest building in the city in order to be closest to the gods.
How many temples are there in Tenochtitlan?
The sacred precinct at the heart of Tenochtitlan contained, according to one eye-witness, 78 separate structures.
Why did Aztec build temples?
Temple-pyramids were used for religious ceremonies and sacrifice. The Aztecs believed their pyramids were the homes of their gods and places of worship. Burials have been found within their walls, and the pyramids were also used to perform rituals of sacrifice.
How old is the Aztec Temple?
The Great Temple devoted to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, measuring approximately 100 by 80 m (328 by 262 ft) at its base, dominated the Sacred Precinct. Construction of the first temple began sometime after 1325, and it was rebuilt six times.
How tall was the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan?
The Templo Mayor (Main Temple) in Tenochtitlan, capital of the mighty Aztec empire, was located in the center of the city, where the most important ritual and ceremonial activities in Aztec life took place. Standing about ninety feet high, the majestic structure consisted of two stepped pyramids rising side by side on a huge platform.
How tall was the most famous Aztec temple?
The most famous one of all Aztec temples is Templo Mayor which had a height of 60 meters and was dedicated to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. The construction of this temple was completed in 1497 and it was built of stone along with stucco covering and polychrome paint.
What was the most sacred site in Tenochtitlan?
This temple was the most sacred site of the city of Tenochtitlan and its twin temples were devoted to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. It was accompanied with various other buildings including pyramids, ornamental walls, and gathering places etc. This temple was 60 meters in height and built of stone.
Where was the Templo Mayor after it was destroyed?
Discovery and excavation. After the destruction of Tenochtitlan, the Templo Mayor, like most of the rest of the city, was taken apart and covered over by the new Spanish colonial city. The Temple’s exact location was forgotten, although by the 20th-century scholars had a good idea where to look for it.