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30 September, 2024
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30 September, 2024Mexico City, one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the world, has a history that dates back centuries, before the arrival of Europeans to the American continent. Founded in 1325 by the Mexicas, the city has witnessed extraordinary transformations, from its origin as Tenochtitlán to becoming the political, economic and cultural heart of Mexico. This is the story of its founding and evolution.
The Mythical Origin of Tenochtitlan
The story of the founding of Mexico City is deeply rooted in Mexica mythology. According to legend, the Mexicas, also known as Aztecs, were a nomadic people originally from Aztlán, a mythical place from which they set out under the guidance of their patron god, Huitzilopochtli, in search of a new land to settle.
Huitzilopochtli gave them a clear sign: they were to found their city in the place where they found an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake. After years of pilgrimage, in the year 1325, they arrived at an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco, where they saw the symbol that had been promised to them. It was at that point that they decided to found Tenochtitlán, the city that would later become the capital of their empire.
The Construction of Tenochtitlan
Tenochtitlan was a true marvel of engineering and urban planning. Located on a series of islands in Lake Texcoco, the city was designed with a complex network of canals, causeways and bridges that connected the islands to the mainland and facilitated the transportation of people and goods. This network of canals also served for agriculture through the system of chinampas, floating islands where corn, beans, chili peppers and other essential products were grown to feed the growing population.
Over the years, Tenochtitlan became the center of political and religious power of the Mexica Empire. At the heart of the city was the imposing Templo Mayor, dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the god of rain. The temple symbolized the connection between the Mexica and their gods, and was the epicenter of the religious and ceremonial life of the city.
The Rise of the Mexica Empire
From its founding in 1325, Tenochtitlán grew rapidly in size and influence. Under the leadership of emperors such as Moctezuma I and Ahuitzotl, the city expanded and consolidated its control over other cities and regions in the Valley of Mexico. Trade flourished, and Tenochtitlán became one of the largest and most advanced cities of its time, with an estimated population of between 200,000 and 300,000.
The city was organized into calpullis, or neighborhoods, each with its own temple and market. At its peak, Tenochtitlán was a bustling metropolis, rich in culture, commerce, and religion, where tributes came from all corners of the empire.
The Arrival of the Spanish and the Fall of Tenochtitlan
The history of Tenochtitlan changed dramatically with the arrival of Hernán Cortés and the Spanish conquistadors in 1519. Attracted by the riches of the Mexica Empire, the Spanish allied themselves with indigenous peoples dissatisfied with Mexica rule and began their march toward the capital.
In 1521, after a series of bloody battles and a devastating siege lasting several months, Tenochtitlan fell to the conquistadors. Much of the city was destroyed, and with it, the power of the Mexica Empire crumbled. Cortés decided to build a new city on the ruins of Tenochtitlan: Mexico City, which would become the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
The Transformation of Mexico City
After the fall of Tenochtitlán, the Spanish began to rebuild the city in a more European design, although they retained certain aspects of the original infrastructure, such as the canals. Colonial buildings, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Viceregal Palace (now the National Palace), were built on what had been the Mexica ceremonial center. The Plaza Mayor, known today as the Zócalo, was built on the same site where the Templo Mayor once stood.
During the colonial period, Mexico City established itself as the political and economic center of the viceroyalty, attracting merchants, artisans, missionaries, and scholars from across the Spanish empire. Its strategic location in the center of the American continent made it a key point for trade between Europe, Asia, and America.
Modern Mexico City
Over the centuries, Mexico City has undergone several transformations, both social and structural. After Mexico's independence in 1821, the city remained the country's capital and has continued to grow at an accelerated pace. With urban expansion and modernization during the 19th and 20th centuries, the city has faced challenges such as population growth, land subsidence due to overexploitation of the aquifer, and the conservation of its cultural heritage.
Today, Mexico City is one of the largest metropolises in the world, with more than 9 million inhabitants in its urban core and more than 21 million in its metropolitan area. Despite the changes and challenges, the spirit of Tenochtitlán lives on in its people, its traditions, and its vibrant culture.
The history of Mexico City is the story of the transformation of a small island settlement in the heart of a pre-Hispanic empire into one of the largest and most important cities in the world. From its mythical founding in 1325 to its vibrant present, the city has been a meeting place for different cultures, traditions and eras. Every corner of the city holds a piece of its past, and it is impossible to walk through its streets without feeling the echo of its rich history.
