Monte Alban

candid Mexico tips

 

Why
Monte Alban
is special

Monte Alban majestically sits on an artificially flattened mountain top overlooking the valleys of Oaxaca in central Mexico. It was the capital of the powerful Zapotec civilization from around 500 BC to 800 AD.

Monte Alban
tips & insights

Setting

The center of Monte Alban is a vast plaza ringed with temples, royal tombs and other ancient structures.

Peak period

The Monte Alban glory days covered two centuries, 600 to 800 AD. It was quite powerful and had a metropolitan population of at least 25,000.

Decline

The Zapotec civilization then started a rapid decline and eventually Monte Alban was abandoned. The Mextics took over and used the summit primarily as a burial ground.

View

The best panoramic photo vantage point for the ruins is on the raised area named the Southern Platform.

Museum

The site has a worthy small museum with local artifacts. They include the so-called Dancer stone slabs carved in low relief with human figures in unconventional poses.

Name

The Spanish gave Monte Alban ("White Mountain") its name. It had several pre-Columbian names, including one that translates as "Sacred Mountain".

What to wear

You will likely be doing a lot of stair climbing, so wear comfortable, good-grip shoes. Bring a hat - shade trees are scarce. To avoid the midday sun, explore the site early or late in the day.

Nearest major city

Monte Alban is half-hour by car from the city of Oaxaca.

  

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