MONTE ALBAN.

Oaxaca México.

Welcome to my State.
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Situated on a mountaintop just outside of the city lies Monte Albán, the impressive ruins that date back to 500 B.C. From here you can view the entire Oaxacan valley as it stretches to the mountains in the distance. This site was one of the first and most populous cities of Mesoamerica.

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Over the centuries the design of Monte Albán has been rebuilt, and what remains is a collection of architectural styles and artificacts. The site's inception began with the Zapotec Indians, who began leveling the top of a mountain at the site that would become the Monte Albán ruins. The site was appropriated by the Mixtecs at the turn of the 13th century, who used the site as sacred ground as evidenced by the remaining tombstones of royalty. The site is large, and best experienced if you have a full day to spend there. Start with the I-shaped ball court at the eastern side of the Great Plaza, which also features various altars and pyramids inherent to the Zapotec architecture with sloping walls, wide stairs and ramps.
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Work your way around the south side to the large platform, where you'll experience an unparalleled view of the surrounding valley. Next is the west side, which houses ceremonial platforms and pyramids. This is home to the famous Building of the Dancers, which is the earliest known structure at Monte Albán. It's covered with large stone carvings of naked figures. On the north side lie the monumental constructions of Monte Albán, the north platform with a stairway 80 meters long and 12 meters high. It's a labyrinth of palaces and temples, with subterranean tunnels, various altars and breathtaking heiroglyphs. Maps of the ruins can be bought in the gift shop as you enter the site.

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To get to Monte Albán, take a bus from the Hotel Mesón del Ángel, Mina 518 at Mier y Terán. Autobuses Turísticos makes the trip seven times a day leaving on the half hour from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with return service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour and at 5:30 p.m. Round-trip fare is US $3.00. If you're driving, take calle Trujano which eventually turns into the road to Monte Albán, about 6 miles from the site.