Tula - Atlantes

... More >

columns display reliefs with the symbol of the earth (a crocodile's head) and pictures of warriors and weapons; the column which is incomplete has the face of Quetzalcóatl depicted on it. The round columns are decorated with finely-carved reliefs made up of feather patterns, as they were originally columns in the shape of serpents, whose heads formed the base. During the destruction of Tollán the temple was torn down and the great Atlantes, together with the shattered columns, were hurled over a ramp into the depths below.

On the side walls, which are formed in a modified talud-tablero style, it is still possible in many places on the vertical sections to make out a frieze with impressive reliefs of jaguars and eagles, which are holding human hearts in their claws and devouring them.

In the former great entrance hall (Gran Vestíbulo) all the columns are reconstructions. In the north-west corner the remains of painted reliefs are visible, depicting a procession of warriors and priests. To the right of the ascending steps the statue of a headless Chac-mool stands.

The whole site is in many ways similar to the palace of warriors in Chichén Itzá. These characteristic "exported" symbols of Toltec architecture, such as serpent columns, friezes with reliefs of striding jaguars and eagles, small atlantes supporting altars, Chac-mools, etc., can certainly be found in many of the regions of Meso-America, especially, however, in Chichén Itzá.