Editing Tula de Allende (section)

==City of Tula de Allende==
[[File:Catedral de tula.jpg|thumb|left|Facade of the parish and former monastery of San José]]
[[File:Tula de Alende (altar).jpg|thumb|upright|Altar in the Cathedral]]
The city of Tula de Allende was built on what was the southern extension of the [[Tula (Mesoamerican site)|ancient city of Tula]], centered on a former monastery built by the Spanish in the 16th century. The modern city is still connected to the ancient ruins, which are an important tourist attraction as well as a symbol of the city, especially the [[Atlantean figures (Mesoamerica)|warrior figures]] located on the [[Quetzalcoatl]] pyramid.<ref name=encmuc>{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/EMM13hidalgo/municipios/13076a.html |title=Tula de Allende |work=Enciclopedia de los municipios y delegaciones de México Estado de Hidalgo |publisher=INFED |location=Mexico |language=es |access-date=February 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602072848/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/EMM13hidalgo/municipios/13076a.html |archive-date=June 2, 2013 }}</ref> Toltec finds are not uncommon underneath the modern city. In 2009, Toltec burials from 900-1100CE were found under Tula-Iturbe Boulevard along with several kilns for firing pottery.<ref name=entierros>{{cite news |title= Descubren dos entierros toltecas en Tula de Allende |newspaper=NOTIMEX |location=Mexico City |date=May 22, 2009 |language=es |trans-title=Discover Toltec burials in Tula de Allende }}</ref>

The modern city is a regional economic center and has been listed as one of the fastest growing in Mexico by the National Commission of Population. Most of the reason for this is the existence of a refinery and a thermoelectric plant.<ref name=milenio>{{cite news |title=Tula, municipio con más desarrollo que el estado |url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/impreso/8600642?quicktabs_1=0 |newspaper=Milenio |location=Mexico City |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=February 7, 2013 |language=es |trans-title=Tula, the most developed municipality in the state |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703035846/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/impreso/8600642?quicktabs_1=0 |archive-date=July 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref name=planmuni>{{cite web |url= http://intranet.e-hidalgo.gob.mx/siieh/Planes%20Muicipales/TULA%20DE%20ALLENDE.pdf |title=Plan municipal de desarrollo Tula |publisher=Government of Hidalgo |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Municipal development plan |access-date=February 7, 2013 }}</ref>

The city is centered around the parish and former monastery of San Jose, with the oldest part built between 1546 and 1556.<ref name=planmuni/><ref name=atello>{{cite news |title= Tula de Allende: Recorrido con los toltecas |newspaper=Reforma |location=Mexico City |date=July 12, 2003 |page=12 |language=es |trans-title=Tula de Allende:Stroll with the Toltecs }}</ref> The main facade has three arches, pilasters with reliefs, a curved pediment and a chapel annex that takes from the 17th century. The cloister of the monastery has two levels with arches and fresco murals. Inside the main church, there is a modern mural called “Jesus” located at the main altar.<ref name=planmuni/> It was named a cathedral in 1961.<ref name=atello/>

Near here is a main plaza and an open-air theatre, framed by a mural called “Tula Eterna” created by Juan Pablo Patiño Cornejo. Another mural called “Tianguis Mamehni” is found at the chamber of commerce.<ref name=planmuni/> There is also the Plaza de las Artesanias dedicated to local handcrafts including replicas of the atlas figures.<ref name=atello/>