Tenochtitlan's Main Temple

Commissioned illustrations showcasing the city of Tenochtitlan at early XVI century. When the Spanish conquerors arrived to the city of Tenochtitlan in 1519 documented that the emperor's palace had, in addition to large and well-kept parks and a botanical garden, a notable faunal collection. It was located southwest of the ceremonial center, at the opposite end of the Templo Mayor.

The zoo included 20 aquariums or ponds of salt and fresh water where there were herons and ducks, even ibis and flamingos; a collection of wild animals including ocelots, bears, bisons, mountain lions and other mountain cats; a collection of birds of prey, parrots and macaws, small and colorful birds and quetzals; a reptile house; and a human zoo...

The aerial perspective is inspired by the masterful 3D recreation from the artist Thomas Kole.