![[Pasted image 20250201164549.png]] Unlike the dirty, fetid cities of Europe at the time, Tenochtitlán was well planned, clean, and orderly. The city had neighborhoods for specific occupations, a trash collection system, markets, two aqueducts that supplied fresh water, and public buildings and temples. Unlike the Spanish, Aztecs bathed daily, and wealthy homes might even contain a steam bath. A labor force of slaves from subjugated neighboring tribes had built the fabulous city and the three causeways that connected it to the mainland. To feed its population, Tenochtitlán invented Chinampas: floating gardens built on barges made of reeds and filled with fertile soil. Lake water constantly irrigated these chinampas, which are still in use and can be seen today in the [Xochimilco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochimilco) district of Mexico City. --- Next: [[1.11 Human Sacrifice]] Back: [[1.9 Tenochtitlán]]