Tula (Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl) - Mexico

Welcome to Central Mexico!

The Ancient Ruins Collection - Mesoamerica presents: Tula

We continue The Ancient Ruins Collection--Mesoamerica, a dedicated subcollection to the legacy of past civilizations.

The Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (labeled "Temple B" of the site by archeologists) is the main atraction in the ancient Toltec empire's capital of Tula, in central Mexico, just 75 km north of Mexico City.

This model contains:

• Actual state (ruins)
• Hypothetical reconstruction (based on the very similar, and better preserved temple of 1000 columns in Chichen-Itza)
• Statue of an Atlante (giant carved column)

Tula (Tollan in Nahuatl) is famous for the four columns carved in the shape of Toltec warriors, nicknamed "Atlantes". These remarkably well-preserved columns used to hold the roof of the temple on top of the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, of which nothing else remains.

At the base of the pyramid, there was a long, columned building now named "Burnt Palace" because there is evidence of its destruction in a fire. The use of big roofed spaces like this is unique in Mesoamerica.

Tula fell around 1150 AD, but it had significant influence in the following Aztec Empire, passing on much of the traditions, beliefs, and architectural style. The Aztecs considered themselves heirs of the Toltec greatness. The feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl is linked to this city, whose worship was widespread from central Mexico to Central America at the time the Spanish arrived, in 1519.

The Mayan city of Chichen-Itza in far-away Yucatan has architecture that is strikingly reminiscent of Tula's, with a similar temple and columned palace; as well as decorative elements such as eagles eating hearts, and "tzompantlis" (skull mounds), very characteristic of Toltec culture but not of the Maya. There is no solid explanation for this correlation (from Wikipedia).

MiniWorld 3D is excited to bring this historical model to life as a homage to all the people of Mexico. This model was designed by founder Dany Sánchez, from scratch. Please give credit, it's all about spreading culture and education!

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MiniWorld 3D is a collective of 28+ artists creating the best library of 3D printable models of landmarks of the world!

3D prints in Plasticz Netherlands metallic grey, 0.2mm.
Hand painted models in acrylics by Dany Sánchez.
Real location photo credit: Dany Sánchez.

No supports required - **even for the **reconstruction version. The pillars and roof part prints fine at 20mm/s and fan at 100%, even the huge frontal overhang! Optimized and revised so that the roof has less overhanging misprints and to achieve a cleaner internal surface. Also fixed mirrored lettering at the bottom.

Slow speeds and great retraction settings are needed to get all the columns as clean from stringing as possible.