Tula is situated in south-west part of Hidalgo-state in the middle of Mexico. It is a modern town, known also as Tula de Allende. Not far from the town, there are to be found the rests of Toltecs´ town of the same name. The Toltecs were nomads. It is possible that they destructed old -Mexican town of Teotihuacan in 8th century. So, nobody knew for long time, where really the town was placed. The Toltecs ruled Mexico for 200 years only, so since middle of 10th century till middle to 12th century, nevertheless, the results of their legendary skills outlived till now.

Quetzalcoatl, pennifered snake God, was obviously very important in Tula. Its picture appears again and again in art and architecture of the town. It winds upstairs along columns and looks downstairs from pyramide walls. Snake-wall, 40 metres long, is especially attractive. The snakes, pictured here, swallow down the skeletons. There were made many restauration works in the city centre, but a lot of works remain after excavations. On one pyramide, you can find church of God Quetzalcoatl. Toltecs sovereigns were pleased to be identified with this God.

Who mounts upstairs high, ten-stages pyramide, he sees line of columns in front of him, known as Atlants, porters of sky vault. The Atlants are 4,60 metres big (high) and show Quetzalcoatl in form of Morning Star. They have pennifer diadems and spears. Originally, these columns supported parts of church´s roof (this did not preserved up to now). However, many church sculpturs disappeared, but some main motifs, such as jaguar, we can admire at present. In front of the church, there was great, covered meeting place. Some of columns, which brought a roof, could be admired even today. So, column halls are very characteristic sign for Toltecs architecture and are also one of Toltecs signs, which return back always in Chichen Itza (in Yucatan, Mexican Peninsula).

Further sign of Toltecs culture, there are so called ball playgrounds. They were rectangular and surrounded with high walls. Toltecs played with rubber ball, and their play had obviously religious importance. In Tula, there are to be seen rests of two ball playgrounds, one of them is surprisingly similar to playground in Chichen Itza. The rests of Toltecs culture give evidence about a fact that it was war nation. They believed that they could reconciled with human victims their Gods. At the end of 10th century, Topiltzin - Quetzalcoatl, the priest and ruler, tried to carry out more humble elements, but as the result, there were fights for power in the Empire. Finally, he lost it and was forced to leave Tula for ever. Since that time, a principle of force determined Toltecs  treatments. Tula had to be destroyed suddenly. Snake wall was tore off and big building in the centre burnt out. At present, some things are buried below ruins and is waiting for a moment when it would be dugged. So, all this could bring further interesting informstion about this unique place, people and their destiny.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: Google, Google Earth