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Tula, the City of Quetzalcoatl |
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lunes, 15 de diciembre de 2008 |
 In Hidalgo
Tula legend narrates how ruler-priest Quetzalcoatl founded it to revenge his father’s death. Located 85 kilometers away from Mexico City, the strong winds and arid weather make the sky of Tula always blue.
Tula, along with Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan, was one of the great cities of Mexican Central Plateau (Altiplano) that lasted for almost 4 centuries. Towards 1000 AD it was probably the biggest city of Mesoamerica, with an extension of 16 square kilometers.
Archaeological vestiges such as Pyramid B or Atlantes Building, Burned Palace, Coatepantli, Ball Game and Tzompantli represent the splendor of the ancient city.
Stone carved monoliths known as Atlantes de Tula, more than 4 meters height, found in 1940 by archaeologist Jorge Acosta, watch atop of the Temple of Tlahuizcalpantecutli (Pyramid B).
Coatepantli or Wall of Serpents structure, dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, is located in the back of that pyramid. It has carved serpents devouring humans, and shells that symbolize Venus. This wall represented the sacred space limits.
Pyramid C is considered the most important building of the zone, located in the northeast side. According to INAH archaeologist Roberto Cobean, the structure was the Axis Mundi of the sacred enclosure, and the central construction axis of the city, which represented Teotihuacan influence.
The Burned Palace is conformed by several rooms with columns and central deep-set yards. Jorge Acosta, who explored Tula in the 1940’s decade, because he found coal, and rests of burned and collapsed ceilings, named it. The carved figures represent parades of divine characters such as Tlaloc.
In spite of the semi-dry climate that characterizes the zone, the presence of the Tula River allowed developing agriculture. Near the city, obsidian, alabaster and other mineral mines were located, permitting the growth of economy.
The archaeological zone is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00 hours. Admission fee is $33 MXP. Children under 13, students, teachers and senior citizens with valid ID do not pay. Sundays and holidays, entrance is free to Mexican public, presenting passport or IFE credential.
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Modificado el ( martes, 27 de octubre de 2009 )
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English version