Milta
Why Mitla
is specialMitla is famous for the arresting 3-D geometric designs on its building walls (see photo).
About Mitla
How to pronounce
Mitla: MEET-lah
1800 years old
The Mitla ruins we see today date back to 200 AD and were constructed by the Zapotec civilization (though their successors, the Mixtecs, added some touches).
Religious center
Ancient Mitla was a major religious center. Sometimes the high priest was more powerful than the king.
Columns Group
Best of Mitla
There are five major groups of ruins. Three are essentially rubble. Of the two remaining, the Columns Group is the best preserved and the most visually interesting. The House of Pezelao is its star attraction and my personal favorite.
House of Pezelao
Top 2 tourist draws:
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Friezes
The design of each frieze panel is different from its neighbor's (see photo). This makes the overall collection exceedingly eye-catching.
- Column of Life
According to myth, you will learn how many years you have left by the distance your hands can reach around this large monolith (seems unfair to short people).
Colonial church
The site also has a colonial church that the Spanish built over an ancient temple.
Encrouching town
The archaeological site is engulfed by a town of the same name. Homes closely border the archaeological site.
Getting there
Most visitors reach Mitla from the major city of Oaxaca, one-hour by car away. On the road you pass the very broad Tule Tree. It's reputed to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old. If so, it's older than the Mitla ruins.
