Texcotzingo

Texcotzingo is an archaeological site and botanical garden nestled in the hills of Texcoco, featuring stone structures, terraces, canals, and pools spread across the landscape. The site contains hundreds of plant species native to central Mexico, growing across the hillside among the ancient remains.

A 15th-century ruler established this place as royal gardens with sophisticated water systems that were advanced for the time. The site marks an early moment in the history of organized botanical collections in the New World.

The gardens feature frog sculptures representing the Triple Alliance cities and include spaces where poetry was once performed during Aztec times. These elements show how art and nature were woven together in daily life and ceremony.

The site lies northeast of Mexico City and can be explored on foot, with paths running over terraces and between the plants. It is best visited in good weather, as the trails are steep and the sun can be strong.

The site shows how the Aztecs brought water from distant springs through canals into the hills, centuries before similar systems became common elsewhere. These waterworks fed fountains and pools and made it possible to grow hard-to-cultivate plants in this dry location.