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Route Monte Albán - Zachila
Santa María Atzompa
We suggest you begin a trip to here by visiting the Casa del Artesano, the ideal place to observe the processes involved in manufacturing beautiful, naturally colored pottery, and pottery with a green slip glazing. The enormous pots found here, made using ancient openwork techniques, are especially noteworthy. Atzompa is 8 kilometers from Oaxaca City. 		 

Monte Albán
This archeological site was the ancient Zapotec capital and one of the first cities in Mesoamerica. It was also one of the most populous cities in Mesoamerica during its peak (it had more than 25,000 inhabitants). It was founded around 500 B.C. and flourished up to around A.D. 750. Located in the center of the Valleys of Oaxaca, Monte Albán exercised political, economic, and ideological control over the other communities of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The main attractions here are: The Great Plaza, The Ball Court, System II, The Danzantes, Building J, Central Buildings G, H, and I, The Palace, The South Platform, System 7 Deer, and Tomb 7. The Great Plaza is 200 meters long by 200 meters wide. To build the Great Plaza rocky bulges were trimmed off and depressions were filled in.

The Mexican archaeologist Dr. Alfonso Caso was in charge of the first exploration and restoration of the site. Based on his architectural studies of the buildings, tombs, ceramics, and jewelry, he determined that Monte Albán's history was divided into five different periods based upon changes in social organization, population density, and trade: Mount Albán I, II, III, IV, and V. On the hillsides that surround the Main Plaza there are tombs, burials, and diverse structures identified as residences. There is a museum at the entrance to Monte Albán and just onsite there is a scale-model of Monte Albán where the visitor will be able to get a perspective of the places they will visit in the archaeological zone. Monte Albán is 10 kilometers from Oaxaca City.

 
San Antonio Arrazola
In Arrazola the local artisans make carvings from the wood of the copal tree, overturning normal artistic representations and expressing their artistic genius by creating an implausible animal kingdom: alebrijes (fantastically carved animal shapes which are then elaborately painted), which are exhibited for sale in the houses of the artisans and in different commercial centers in the city of Oaxaca. Arrazola is 12 kilometers down the highway leading to Zaachila. Take a right-hand turn before reaching Cuilapan and drive through Xoxo. After 3 ½ kilometers you will reach Arrazola. 		 

Cuilapam de Guerrero
Its name in Náhuatl, coyolapan, means tinted river, or rattles over the water. There is a magnificent religious complex here built by Dominicans in the sixteenth century: an ex-convent, a church with a single nave, and an open-air chapel for the indigenous population. Here you can also see vestiges of Martín Cortés' hacienda (to the south of the Municipal Palace). Cuilapam is 12 kilometers from Oaxaca City. To get there take the highway toward Zaachila.

 
Villa de Zaachila (Thursday is Market Day)
In Zapotec, zaachila yoo means fortress of zaachila. Prehispanic traditions and customs are still strongly preserved here. They are especially evident during the tianguis that is held here on Thursdays, which is famous for its black clay ceramics and rich cuisine. You will find a great variety of typical Oaxacan dishes served here. Zaachila is 17 kilometers (25 minutes) to the southeast of Oaxaca City. 		 
   
   
   
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