In case of Aztec Architecture, there is so much more we cannot see, but only imagine and speculate through ruins and historical artifacts. Remnants of forgotten cultures can only be found in museums and archaeological sites.
All around the world, different styles and instances of architecture testify to the existence of great ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs.
Due to the New World explorations and Spanish invaders, the Aztec country was lost, and all that was left were traces of the once mighty empire.
Nonetheless, thanks to historians, archeologists and modern science, we are able to visualize a picture of bygone Aztec architecture.
History of the Aztec empire - the beginning of Aztec Architecture
The Aztecs were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that populated today’s South America and Mexico from the 14th to the early 16th century. They were considered to be descendants of early American inhabitants, characterized by rich cultural heritage, advanced irrigation systems and mighty stone pyramids and temples.
They were also followers of polytheism, which means that they worshipped multiple gods or deities. Similar to other Mesoamerican tribes, the Aztecs also practised sacred rituals and sacrificed animals and humans to their gods.
The capital of the Aztec empire was called Tenochtitlan, the heart of Aztec mainland and also the location of Mexico City in today’s world. It was founded in 1325, and it was followed by many other cities in the area, such as Tenayuca, Azcapotzalco, Texcoco, Colhuacan, and many more.
Since the government was divided into separate districts, the Aztecs grew even more powerful once the so-called Aztec empire, a three-way alliance, was formed in 1428. It consisted of three city-states, Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. They were successful at governing the country until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in 1519.This event is otherwise known as the Conquest of Mexico, the horrific outcome of the clashing of two worlds. The Aztec ruler at that time was Moctezuma II, during whose reign the country’s borders expanded to their greatest extent. He was ultimately defeated by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1521.
The Spaniards completely wiped out the Aztec empire. Tenochtitlan was leveled to the ground, from where Mexico City rose later on. To make matters even more unfortunate, a massive smallpox epidemic ensued, taking away two thirds of the indigenous population.
Culture
One thing that surprised the Spaniards was how developed and intelligent the Aztec civilization had been at that time, and not quite the primitive tribesmen they first imagined them to be.
In truth, upon their arrival, the Aztecs managed to drain the swamps and build small islands that were used for gardening and growing food. Their society consisted of a systematic social hierarchy, where peasants and the nobility differed greatly. They were considered to be master builders, their cities were interlaced with canals, and bustling with colorful temples and shrines.
Religion and human sacrifices
In order to understand Aztec rituals and customs, first we must keep in mind that they had two calendars - the first one was the ritual cycle of 260 days and the second one had 365 days, the solar cycle. Everything that they did revolved around those two calendars.
Just like in Ancient Greek or Roman mythology, the Aztecs had their own set of gods they believed in, and countless people were sacrificed in their names. This ritual wasn’t considered cruel, but a necessity that would allow others to continue living in peace. There were even some rituals that involved cannibalism, but they were less practiced.
Some records even dictate that more than 80,000 people were sacrificed in just four days, however, we cannot know if this is true for sure.
Mythology and Cosmology
Not only were people sacrificed for Aztec gods, but numerous temples and pyramids were erected for them, such as Templo Mayor, the most famous Aztec temple.
Aztec mythology revolved around the idea that everything was destroyed in order to be reborn or recreated. Great importance was given to the sun, which was thought to be responsible for earth’s creation.
Aztec deities were representative of cosmology or the elements. For example, Tlaloc was the god of rain and storms, Huitzilopochtli was the god of the sun, war and human sacrifice, while Quetzalcoatl was the god of wind, the sky and stars, as well as a cultural hero of many myths and legends.
Symbolism in Aztec Architecture
As with many other cultures, the Aztecs used to incorporate symbols into many aspects of life, they were carved into walls of shrines, statues and even painted on bodies. As we mentioned before, Aztec life revolved around religion, thus their symbols were mainly rooted in divine worship and tradition.Symbols of gods and mythological figures were prime symbols, but one could also find animals, nature and common items. Many of these symbols were assimilated into architecture, for example an eagle represented the sun and warriors, and a serpent was a symbol of water and fire.
What’s also interesting is that each day of the ritual cycle was marked by a separate number and a symbol. They were mainly animals, nature, abstract themes and items from everyday life.
Art in Aztec Architecture
Aztec art is considered to be influenced by earlier Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Toltec, who were their inspiration for architecture and craftsmanship. It consisted of paintings, pottery, writing, carving, as well as making mosaics, ceramics and featherwork.
Aztec artists used bright colors and religious symbols, and materials such as stone, feathers, shells, gold, silver, and so on. In some cases, human skin was used as well.
For paintings, animal skin was usually used, and in some cases paper made from tree bark. Sculptures, on the other hand, were generally made from stone and wood, and they were considered to be of high quality. Aztec sculptures varied in size, some of them could be a few meters tall.
The most famous example of an Aztec sculpture is the Aztec Sun Stone, which was discovered in 1790. The otherwise known Calendar stone is 3,5 meters wide and it weighs 24 kg.
Today you can find it in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Archeologists were able to figure out that the Sun Stone is actually a calendar.
Aztec Architecture Style
Toltec influence
The Toltec were a major Masoamerican civilization that populated the Mexican Gulf before the Aztecs, therefore their architectural style greatly influenced Aztec architecture. Not only architecture, but culture and lifestyle were also passed onto the adjacent Mesoamerican civilizations.
For example, the Aztecs designed cities and temples using the same grid system the Toltecs had used before them.
Structural and Engineering Technologies
As we mentioned before, the Aztecs were master builders, and the fact that some of their stone structures still stand today is proof. Even though they only had primitive technology, they still mastered constructing colossal pillars and temples that withstood the test of time.
Keep in mind that the Aztec empire was built in the middle of a jungle riddled with swamps and hot climate. After they had cleared out the forest, they constructed strong foundations and bases for their houses and villages. What’s also fascinating is that they never destroyed structures, instead they built new ones on the top of old ones. In fact, some temples had four to five layers beneath them.
Let’s not forget that the Aztecs were primarily hunters and farmers, therefore they mastered agriculture, gardening, planting and constructing dams and efficient irrigation systems so that they would have fresh running water.
Tenochtitlan - “The Venice of Mesoamerica”
Tenochtitlan was the capital and the heart of the Aztec empire, and in the 14th century it was considered to be the world’s third largest city, with around 200,000 citizens. Tenochtitlan was built on an island in the middle of a giant lake, and it was surrounded by mountains. Today, it is replaced with Mexico city.
The most important structure of Tenochtitlan was the Great Temple or Templo Mayor, which was situated in the very center of the sacred city. It was marked by rich pyramids and massive edifices. The city was systematically divided into separate zones and districts.
As we mentioned before, due to the muddy soil, structures had a tendency to sink. That’s why they were built on top of each other. Today in Mexico City, submerged structures can be found even eight meters below the city streets.
Another odd feature of Aztec cities was the so-called altar of the skulls, which was a wooden rack that stood in the middle of the city square. It was literally used to showcase human skulls of war victims or more oftenly, sacrificed victims.
When archeologists embarked on an excavation mission that lasted for 7 years, they managed to uncover over 7,000 artifacts, such as sculptures, small objects and human skulls.
Aztec Architecture Temples
Temples were primarily a place of worship, and they were exclusively open to priests. The reason they were so massive was because the Aztecs wanted to be as close to the gods as possible. That’s why human sacrifices took place at the top.
Unfortunately, only a small number of Aztec pyramids remain today. The majority was destroyed during the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1521. Apart from the Great Temple, some other famous pyramids are the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, both located in the sacred city of Teotihuacan.
Pyramids and temples were key features of Aztec architecture. They usually had four levels or entrances and they were built stone by stone, by hand. Various religious, mythological and cosmic symbols were engraved on the pyramids’ exterior, as well as on the inside of sacred shrines.
They were simple and elegant, and usually consisted of a foundation and a steep four-way staircase that rose from the center. Always facing west, the pyramids were dedicated to the gods, and temples were always added to the top.
Aztec Architecture Houses
Similar to other world cultures, the closer you live to the center, the wealthier you are. In Aztec society, nobles inhabited royal palaces on the square, and peasants lived in humble small houses further away from the city. The palaces were built out of stone and plaster, while those of lower social status settled for houses made out of wood, or adobe brick. Roofs were traditionally built using straw or woven sticks. The houses were usually one story high, and in most cases entire families had to live in one room. There were no doors, because they never had to think about thieves.
Materials used in Aztec Architecture
Due to the sinking soil, the Aztecs had to build strong foundations that would withstand the humid climate. For that they frequently used a volcanic stone called tezontle.
Apart from the volcanic rock, other materials like stones, wood, chisels and blades were additionally used for construction. For some of their houses, adobe was utilized as well, bricks of clay that were dried by the sun.
Aztec architecture you can still see and visit
Teotihuacan Pyramids
This sacred city was established in 200 BC, and it was also known as the city where men become gods. In the 4th and 5th century, it was the 6th largest city in the world.
Apart from the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, it’s also known for the so-called Avenue of the Dead - the main street of Teotihuacan that was 2,5 km long.
The Pyramid of the Sun is not only the largest structure of Teotihuacan, but also one of the largest in Mesoamerica.
What’s mysterious about it is that it was abandoned before the Aztecs even reached it.
They believed it was the place where the sun and the moon were created. The pyramid is 70 meters tall, almost as big as the Egyptian Pyramids of Giza.
The Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest pyramid of Teotihuacan, and you can find it at the end of the Avenue of the Dead.
Nobody knows what exactly happened to the people of Teotihuacan, and whether they were the victims of fires or the unbearable hot weather.
For now it remains the mystery of the lost city.
Aztec Architecture Pyramid of Santa Cecilia Acatitlan
This pyramid was believed to have been dedicated to the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli, or perhaps the god of water and rain, Tlaloc. Due to the damage inflicted by Spanish invaders, it was partially damaged, but archeologists managed to reconstruct in the 1960s. You can find it in the Mexican town of Santa Cecilia, 10km north of Mexico City.
Aztec Architecture of Tenayuca
Very close to Tenochtitlan, Tenayuca was established in the 13th century.
The Pyramid of Tenayuca can be found in Tlalnepantla de Baz. It was also erected in dedication to the god of war Huitzilopochtli.
Calixtlahuaca
This Aztec archeological site can be located near the city of Toluca in Mexico.
It was excavated and restored in the 1930s as part of a large archeological project. It used to be an urban settlement and a capital of great kings.
El Tepozteco
This small but valuable Aztec treasure was built as a temple for the god Tepoztēcatl, the god of alcoholic beverages. It can be found in the Mexican state of Morelos.
Through history, countless cultures and civilizations have left their marks on this world, and in most cases, it’s up to us to find them. Even though only a small portion of Aztec architecture has survived, it was enough for us to conclude how magnificent it was.If you liked this piece, you may want to check our other article on Inca Architecture. Check it out!
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