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The Aztec temples were built all over the Aztec Empire and in their most famous form existed as rooms at the top of step pyramids. However, the step pyramids were not always temples and could also be used for other purposes.
Aztec architectural sites include Malinalco, Tenayuca, conquered by the Aztec circa 1434. This site is the earliest known example of the typical Aztec double pyramid—joined pyramidal bases supporting two temples—and the Templo Mayor, the biggest building in the Aztec city Tenochtitlan.
Aztec temples were usually found at the top of pyramids and they are often called temple-pyramids. Designed using ancient Mesoamerican architectural traditions that went back thousands of years (pic 1), temple-pyramids were tall structures forming four main platforms, with grand stairways running up one side; you can see them in the picture ...
The Templo Mayor was first constructed in the reign of Itzcoatl (r. 1427-1440 CE), improved upon by his successor Motecuhzoma I (r. 1440-1469 CE), and again enlarged during the reign of Ahuitzotl (r. 1486-1502 CE).
The Aztec were master builders and constructed many different types of structures, such as pyramids, ball courts, plazas, temples, and homes. However, for the Aztec, they considered the Toltec to be a major influence on their own architecture.
The Aztecs are particularly famous for constructing pyramids with twin temples. This style was further divided into types. One was the construction of two exactly similar temples side by side and the other was the construction of a larger temple consisting of two small temples on the top.
The process of expanding an Aztec temple was typically completed by new structures being built over earlier ones, using the bulk of the former as a base for the latter. The Aztecs began construction of Templo Mayor sometime after 1325, and the temple was rebuilt six times.
The seven major building phases of the Templo Mayor began with a simple structure, probably dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, built in 1325 when Tenochtitlan was founded.
The most important Aztec buildings were of course their temples and places of worship. There were small temples but the larger ones were constructed atop the Aztec pyramids. These temples were called “Teocalli” by the Aztec people meaning “god houses”.
The Great Temple or Temple Mayor (called Hueteocalli by the Aztecs) takes centre stage in the sacred precinct. On top of the 60 m high pyramid platform, reached by two flights of steps, were two twin temples.