Chapter 1
The water highways of Tenochtitlan
Chapter 2
The modern market of 1957
Chapter 3
The 24-hour flower kingdom
Chapter 4
Piñatas, marigolds, and seasonal magic
YOUR GOAL
Master of Exploring Mercado de Jamaica
Ch 1 · The water highways of Tenochtitlan
bolita Colorful flower stalls now crowd the paved canals where Aztec traders once paddled.
bolita The water highways of Tenochtitlan
Float down the canal, Float down the canal! Our flowers bloom where Aztec waters run.
bolita Discover how goods from the Jamaica docks supplied Tlatelolco, the Aztec Empire's largest marketplace, in this detailed historical infographic.
bolita The market's original produce was grown on ingenious floating agricultural plots built directly on the lake.
BETA
bolita Steer flower boats through ancient canals to discover how the Jamaica market was born.
Fun Fact
Aztec Canals: Long before highways, Aztec merchants paddled canoe-loads of fresh food from floating gardens directly into ancient city markets like Mercado de Jamaica.
Glossary
tule reeds (noun)
Tall, thick marsh plants native to freshwater wetlands that become strong and flexible when dried. For centuries, indigenous communities have woven these sturdy stalks into durable floor mats, baskets, and even boats!
Tall, thick marsh plants native to freshwater wetlands that become strong and flexible when dried. For centuries, indigenous communities have woven these sturdy stalks into durable floor mats, baskets, and even boats!
Quiz
To which grand Aztec market were goods from the Jamaica waterfront eventually transported?
bolita For centuries, a massive canal served as the main highway for bringing fresh goods into the city.
Fun Fact
Aztec canal highways: Before modern roads, the market area was a busy canal port where over 200 wooden canoes docked daily to unload fresh flowers.
Glossary
canal (noun)
An artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or drainage. The Canal de la Viga historically allowed vendors to transport flowers and crops directly to the market.
An artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or drainage. The Canal de la Viga historically allowed vendors to transport flowers and crops directly to the market.
Quiz
In what decade were the last working canals near the Mercado de Jamaica finally drained?
Quiz
Which major historic waterway connected the southern chinampas to the Mercado de Jamaica area?