HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Explore Mitla: Oaxaca’s Ancient Prehispanic Ceremonial Hub

“The City of the Death” was built on the north side of Tlacolula Valley and was the second ceremonial center of importance in Oaxaca, just after Monte Albán.

 

After the fall of Monte Albán, this Prehispanic city was the political and religious center for Zapotecos and it was inhabited by more than 10 thousands and 500 people in its heyday, just before the arrival of the Spaniards.

 

While you go through its vestiges, you will realize that Mitla has a peculiar characteristic: the tiles are adorned with frets, one of the Zapoteca architectural styles in the city. In addition, the tombs of important personalities of the time have been found down the palaces.

 

Another characteristic that makes this site stand out from the others is the way the edification was organized. Dare to walk through its quadrangular patios, admire the facades of the halls and its wall decorated with big stone frets.

 

The beautiful church of San Pablo is another important must-see in your visit to the archaeological zone of Mitla. It was built in the year 1544 by the Spanish Conquistadors at the top of a platform in which a religious Zapotec temple was originally built.

 

Don’t forget to pay a visit to one of the handcraft Mezcalerias you can find nearby.
Tourist Attraction
  • -

    One of the most impressive archeological zones is Chunyaxche, better known as Muyil, which is the name of one of the closest lagoons. This site is located 6 kilometers from Carrillo Puerto highway. When Mayan culture was in its heyday Muyil worked as an oral and as a customs place for travelers. You will find spectacular views of the mangroves. This is also the best spot to watch the different and beautiful birds that live here. Be ready to lose yourself through the roads in this jungl

  • -

    Plenty of La Venta visitors go to the Archaeological Site founded by Olmecs. This humid place, surrounded by vegetation and animal sounds, witnessed how this culture established and became one of the region’s oldest and most important.Although its prehispanic name is unknown, one of La Venta’s preserved vestiges is the 34 meters high and 140 in diameter main pyramid, built in clay and considered the oldest in Mesoamérica territory.La Venta Ceremonial Center remains were discovered in 1925 by arc

  • -

    On a plateau-shaped elevation in the community of La Mesilla, 12 kilometers ( 7 miles ) from Tecozautla, is the Archaeological Site of El Pahñú, which belonged to the Xajay culture, the ancestor of the current Otomi people and which had its time of splendor between the years 450 and 950 of our era. According to the studies carried out in the place, the archaeological group would have been dedicated to venerating Otontecutli, the god of the old fire. The central square is escorted by a well-