Monte Alban, located 9 km east of the city of Oaxaca, is an archaeological complex and is a cultural heritage of UNESCO. The name Monte Alban means "White Mountain."
The complex is located on a low mountain range, which rises in the central part of the Oaxaca Valley. This is one of the first cities of Mesoamerica, founded around 500 BC. e. For a thousand years, Monte Alban was considered the most important socio-political and economic center of Zapotec's civilization. By the 500-750's. n. e. it lost its leading role and soon was almost completely abandoned.
| Monte Alban Ruins |
How to get
Autobuses Turísticos buses run to Monte Alban from Rivera del Angel Hotel, located on Mina 518 in Oaxaca (the stop is located 6 blocks from the main square of the city). Buses leave every hour from 8:30 to 15:30 and back - from 13:00 to 17:00 (the schedule may vary depending on the season). The cost of a round-trip ticket is about 38 pesos. Such a ticket allows you to return back only at the time indicated.
Alternative companies organizing a transfer to the archaeological complex is Turísticos Marfil. Buses stop at Local 25, Plaza Santo Domingo, Alcala 407 and Hostel Mezkalito. The cost of a round trip is 50 pesos (prices are in June 2011).
Taxi from Oaxaca to Monte Alban will cost 200-300 pesos in both directions (prices are in June 2011).
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Shops and cafes
The archaeological complex has a small bookshop, and at the exit from the territory of Monte Alban, locals sell souvenirs and food. There is also a small cafe on the territory of the complex, where you can have a snack with sandwiches. Something more important is to look for in the city of Oaxaca.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Monte Alban
Partially excavated civil ceremonial center of Monte Alban, towering at 400 meters and located on top of an artificially-aligned ridge height of 1940 meters above sea level. The complex also includes hundreds of artificially-created platforms. Excavations on nearby hills Atzompa and El Gallo are also considered an integral part of Monte Alban.
The central place in Monte Alban occupies an area whose perimeter is 300 by 200 meters . Around the square are the main civil ritual structures and housing space for "elite" citizens . To the north and south of the main square stretch huge bulk platforms, access to which is opened from the main square through the stairs located there . There are also smaller platforms on which towered temples and "elite »Apartment houses . South platform is a pyramid with an open platform at the top, which leads an impressive staircase .
In Monte Alban there are many monuments, executed by carving on a stone. The earliest examples of the so-called Danzantes (literally, dancers) are found mostly in the area of the "L" structure and are naked men in twisted poses, some of which injure their sexual organs.
In the 1930s. in the tomb No. 7, Mexican archaeologists have discovered various artifacts that are also of great interest. The archeological complex also has a museum with a collection of items found during excavations in the 1920s
| Beautiful trees in Monte Alban |
| Exhibit of the Monte Alban Museum |
| Mask at the Monte Alban Museum |