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Beaches
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Culture and Traditions
Destinations
Adventure and Nature
Magical Towns
Beaches
Information
MICE tourism
"PLACE OF THE DEAD"
The town of San Pablo Villa de Mitla is the birthplace of skilled artisans and boasts an impressive display of pre-Hispanic era remnants, along with a unique chapel dating back to colonial times.
One curious fact is that it has been confirmed that beneath the current houses, there are remains of the homes of the inhabitants from the pre-Hispanic era.
In this Magical Town, you must take some time to visit the market where you can find a wide variety of textiles and delicious mezcals.
Mitla enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 18°C. In the warmest months, the temperature reaches 27°C, while in the winter months, it drops to 14°C.
It is located 45 km (about one hour) from the city of Oaxaca and 504 km (about 7 hours) from Mexico City.
San Pablo Villa de Mitla
What to See in San Pablo Villa de Mitla
Tourist Attractions in San Pablo Villa de Mitla
Mitla Archaeological Zone
Its name comes from Nahuatl "Mictlán" or "Place of the Dead," Zapotec "Lyobaa" or "Place of Rest," and Mixtec "Ñuu Ndiyi" or "Place of the Dead." It is a Zapotec ceremonial center and a residence of ecclesiastical power. Its peak and zenith occurred between 950 and 1521 A.D.
The harmony of its buildings and the proportion of its courtyards are highlighted by the extraordinary decorative fretwork on its walls, a unique representation in Mesoamerica. The fretwork is formed by thousands of polished stone tablets, intricately fitted together without any mortar.
There are five groups of constructions, surrounded by a cactus fence, known as: Southern Group, Adobe Group, Stream Group, Columns Group, and Church Group. The first two are classified as ceremonial complexes, composed of mounds and central plazas, while the other three are categorized as palaces organized with rooms around quadrangular courtyards.
Various buildings at the site show clear evidence of mural paintings, primarily in red, providing an idea of the magnificence of this ceremonial center.
Templo de San Pablo
In the 16th century, the Temple of San Pablo was built on the rooms of Patio C, using materials from ancient pre-Hispanic palaces. Its facade is adorned with pyramid-like crests and features four domes. Inside, it showcases two beautiful Baroque altarpieces.
Erwin Frissel Oaxacan Museum of Archaeology
Located in an 18th-century neoclassical mansion, this is another must-visit point. The museum exhibits an important collection of archaeological pieces from the Zapotec culture, including vases, braziers, molcajetes (stone mortars), idols, necklaces, bracelets, and more. Please note that the museum is currently closed.
Municipal Presidency
The first level features a series of arches in a portal, while the second level has a set of balconies with pleasant wrought ironwork. It is distinguished by a peculiar five-story tower at the front of the building.
Mercado de Artesanías (Crafts Market)
It's the ideal place to buy all kinds of textiles reflecting pre-Hispanic designs, especially highlighting the famous Mitla fretwork. You can also find a wide variety of artisanal mezcals from the region.
La Cueva de la Paloma (The Cave of the Dove)
Evidence of human occupation dating back more than 9,000 years has been found in this cave. Various ceramic pieces, botanical remains, and animal bones have been recovered from this area, providing insights into the lifestyles of the inhabitants of that time. It is part of the caves that have been designated as World Heritage Sites.
What to Do in San Pablo Villa de Mitla
Choose your Adventure in Oaxaca
UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCES IN SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA
Visit Mitla Archaeological Site
Explore Hierve el Agua
Savor the local cuisine
Enjoy a Unique Natural Wonder
In the surroundings, you can find Hierve El Agua, one of Oaxaca's most important natural wonders. It consists of petrified waterfalls cascading over a cliff and natural pools on top of the mountain where you can swim and enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Oaxaca valleys.
Visit to Mezcal Producers
During these tours, you can learn more about the artisanal process of making mezcal through direct narratives from the master mezcal makers. Additionally, you can enjoy a mezcal tasting where they explain the differences between types of mezcal. This town is part of the Mezcal Route.
Visit the Artisan Workshops
The production of colorful textiles has been a millennia-old tradition in this Magical Town and is one of the most important textile-producing centers in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. You can visit some of these workshops and learn not only about textile production but also about how threads are dyed using natural materials.
Find out how much time you have left to live
Inside Tomb 1, there is a monolithic column surrounded by various legends and stories. One of them suggests that by embracing the column, it indicates the remaining time of your life. By encircling the monolith with your arms and measuring the distance between your hands, it gives you an idea of the years of life you have left.
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