The Golden Age of Texcoco, Powerful City of King Nezahualcoyotl

Texcoco was a beautiful city full of natural altars, places of culture and impressive buildings. It was located on the eastern bank of Lake Texcoco, on the northeast of the Aztec capital – Tenochtitlan. The ruler who made this place unforgettable was one of the greatest minds of the Mesoamerican civilization – the king Nezahualcoyotl.

The re-conquest of the Golden City

The city Texcoco was created in the 12th century or about 1337. The researchers still look for the origins of the city, but it was most probably expanded by the Acolhua, so Texcoco became the Acolhua capital city, taking over that role from Coatlinchan. The city was located in a very friendly environment which allowed to people live a very comfortable life. The organization of the city was not different than in cases of other pre-Columbian cities in this area.

Nezahualcoyotl was only 16 years old when his father Ixtlilxochitl I, the ruler of Texcoco, was dethroned by Tezozomoc of Azcapotzalco.  They took refuge in caves and Tzinacanoztoc Cualhyacac. Unable to hide there for long, Ixtlilxochitl ordered his son to move into the forest, as he and a few loyal men unsuccessfully tried to stop the advance of his captors. Nezahualcoyotl managed to escape and went to Tlaxcala. The Tezomoc's son, Maxtla, succeeded his father in 1427. He held out several ambushes, and with great diplomatic skill, managed to win the favor of other cities.

Depiction of ruler Nezahualcoyotl (Public Domain)