To be at  Monte Alban gives you a feeling of smallness, that you are almost reaching the sky. It seems like a time capsule, this esplanade and pyramids where times stands still,  and only the rays of the sun accompany us.

This site was titled by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity for more than one reason. In its innermost parts are kept the many secrets of a mysterious civilization, the Zapotecs. This was a ceremonial center that later became the capital of this pre-Hispanic culture, and was at the height of its splendor around 600 BC.

The sense of grandeur that is experienced, may have to do with the fact that this area was built on a series of hills in the heart of what we know today as Oaxaca. There are temples, courtyards, palaces, corridors, tombs and the famous ball court which was popular among these ancient civilizations.

Although the Zapotecs are not as well know as other ancient civilizations, they were one of the first cultures to develop  in Mesoamerica. To get an idea of its importance, it is enough to mention that it contained 35,000 inhabitants.

Monte Alban stands out for its beautiful pyramids, the engraved stones with which it was built, and the gray ceramic urns that represent the former priests and all the ostentation in which they lived.

There were about 190 tombs discovered, with details that show that the Zapotecs believed in life after death. There were also pieces of gold, silver, turquoise, jade and bone found that can be seen at the site’s museum.

One might wonder why this pre-Hispanic site has a Spanish name. It was named so because the owner of that land was a Spaniard with the last name: Montalban. No name in any pre-Hispanic language has ever been identified.

To visit the archaeological site, there are many buses from Oaxaca City that easily travel the 10 km.

Entrance to the ruins and the museum is $ 51 $ 57 pesos, and free for children, students, teachers and senior citizens.

Services: Gifts and Souvenirs shop, Book store, coffee shop, restroom.

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