The historical monument “Baños de Moctezuma” was built in the XV century by Nezahualcóyotl during Moctezuma´s reign and utilized by Mexica tlatoanis as a recreational center, for breeding exotic fish, and also as a reservoir for spring water obtained from the hill. It is also thought to be the place where Moctezuma hid his treasures, and for that reason, excavations took place in 1744 in an effort to recover them. This caused the tanks to crack and resulted in the loss of the water they held.

The monument also makes reference to Moctezuma and Nezahualcóyotl’s presence in Chapultepec, their palaces locations, and the paths in which they strolled while reflecting on state matters or creating their poems.

It was part of the broad pre-hispanic hydraulic network built in the Moctezuma I era. The network was made of aqueducts, pools, tanks, baths or temazcales that received spring water and supplied water to Tenochtitlán and later on to Mexico City until the beginning of the twentieth century.

This monumental and historic area was modified throughout the different periods of Mexican history –from the pre-hispanic era, colonial times, the Reform, the Porfiriato, up to current times. This is where the famous red carnalite grasshopper (that can now be seen in the Anthropology and History National Museum) was first found.