Tula - Day 2

He is known as "Chac-Mool"

At 9.30 AM we took a cab for the short ride to the entrance of the Zona Arqueologica, the area of 16 km sq that contains the ancient ruins of the Toltec era (about 700-1100 AD).  After a chat with a very helpful information officer we visited the museum and got a glimpse into the Toltec civilization.  We then made our way to the center of what at its peak was a town of 35,000 people.  The site is a work in progress and much time and effort of unearthing and restoration will be required to realize the full potential of the site.

We were not disappointed with what we saw.  The site is atop a hill that dominates the immediate landscape and provides excellent views in all directions.  The dominant structures are two pyramids.  There are also ball courts (where the loser lost his life), a sacrificial altar, and a large building whose purpose has not been determined.  Atop one of the pyramids were columns that at the time supported a roof and were not visible to the population.

After our tour we left via the southern exit and made a short walk into the main town, using a colorful footbridge spanning the river that no doubt had provided the Toltecs with water. 

Panoramic of Ball Court

Main Pyramid

In the afternoon we made a short visit to the cathedral which was no match for the splendor that we had encountered in the churches of San Louis Potosi.

Pillars that supported roof on top of pyramid

Recurrent theme: serpent eating man

Bridge over river to main town