Mexico-Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec empire, built on an island in Lake Texcoco in what is now Mexico City. At its height, Tenochtitlan was one of the largest cities in the world, with over 200,000 inhabitants. The Aztecs chose this site as the centre of their civilization as according to legend this is where they found an eagle devouring a snake on top of a cactus, on an islet in the middle of the lake.
Most of the city was destroyed in 1521 by Spanish conquistadors. Mexico City was erected on top of the ruins and, over the ensuing centuries, most of Lake Texcoco has gradually been drained. Some of the remaining ruins of Tenochtitlan's main temple (Templo Mayor) were uncovered during the construction of a metro line in the 1970s. A small portion has been excavated and is now open to the public. Although not a huge site, it feels odd walking around an ancient ruin in the heart of the city.
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