Zona Arqueológica de Tula

Tula, known in its day as Tollan-Xicocotitlan, was the capital of the Toltecs, the people later Aztecs looked back on as the founders of civilized life in central Mexico. The city peaked roughly between 900 and 1150 AD and controlled a wide stretch of the highlands before it was burned and abandoned.

The image everyone comes for stands on top of Pyramid B, the temple of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the morning star. Four Atlantes, stone warriors more than four meters tall carved in sections, once held up the temple roof; they wear butterfly-shaped breastplates and carry darts and spear-throwers. Around them you can see the Coatepantli, a wall carved with serpents swallowing human figures, the columned halls of the Palacio Quemado with their stone benches, two ballcourts, and a Chac Mool, the reclining figure holding a dish on its belly.

The Jorge R. Acosta site museum by the entrance shows sculpture, pottery and pieces dug up here, and helps make sense of what you see on the plaza. From Jilotepec it makes an easy half-day trip into neighboring Hidalgo.