Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Archaeological Sites in Chiapas
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Arqueología Chihuahua
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Its name is derived from the Nahuatl phrase Tollan Xicocotitlan, which means Place of the Reeds.
Since 713 A.D. and for 449 years, was the major city of the Toltecs, one of the greatest civilizations in the history of Mexico and Mesoamerica. It would seem that Tula ended around the year 1170, the city and its ceremonial center were ransacked and partially destroyed, then in the 12th century the Chichimecs invaded the central valey and ther Toltec civilization declined, later when the Aztecs arrived to Tula much of the great city was destroyed.
Tula was a great spiritual and cultural center guarded by the colossal atlantes, faithful testimony of the advances and knowledge in art, painting and sculpture.
This legendary city was supposedly founded by Acatl Topilitzin Quetzalcóatl , Emperor son of Mixcóatl and whose figure is mixed with the legend of the god of the same name. It is the city where the mythical encounter between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca, light and darkness, the good god and the bad god took place.
Tula
Must see Buildings
The ruins of the archaeological site are concentrated in two clusters at opposite ends of a low ridge, and include the Templo Quemado (Burned Palace), probably an important governmental building with dozens of ruined columns, outside the main entrance is the last complete surviving statue of a reclining priest, known as Chac-mool like the ones find in Teotihuacán and Chichen Itza. The Templo de Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, or Temple of the Morning Star, a multi-tiered pyramid structure dedicated to the mythological Toltec ruler Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcóatl; two ball courts and three temples shaped like truncated pyramids.
Jorge R. Acosta Site Museum
There is a site museum with displays of excavated artifacts like vessels and amazing sculptural art in stone and quarry such as atlantes, pillars, chacmools and “atlantes”, among others.
Guadalupe Mastache Interpretation Room
Near the archaeological zone on Boulevard Tula-Tlahuelpan Km 2.5, Colonia El Salitre in Tula de Allende you can visit the Guadalupe Mastache Interpretation Room. In fact it can be the starting point for the tour, as it allows you to learn about the scope of the Toltec people’s geographical power, their economic activities and religious ideology in an easy and fun way. This room also shows the archaeologist impressions of how the settlement looked in its heyday and information about the researchers who discovered it. There are several sculptures that have been discovered during the archaeological exploration.
Location
It is located 80 km north of Mexico City and 84 km from Pachuca, in Tula de Allende, Hidalgo. The ruins are about a 25-minute walk from the center of the city of Tula de Allende. There are buses that travel regularly from Mexico City.
Hours
Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:30 hrs.
English 
Español de México 
