Native Trails MyTrails 2026 216 Oaxaca 37 Visit of the Mirror Chapel of Tlacolula de Matamoros Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy You visit the parish church of the old Zapotec town of Tlacolula de Matamoros. The Baroque 16th century building has a particularly beautiful side chapel, the Capilla de los Espejos. Marvel at the elaborate stucco decorations from white lime adorned with gold leaf applications, countless mirrors (hence the name “de los espejos”), sculptures of saints, artistic paintings, and the silver main altar. 38 Visit of the archaeological zone Zaachila Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Medium Today a small town, Zaachila had a central function as the Zapotec capital in pre-Hispanic times. Although great parts of the original settlement, which was founded in the 13th century, are no longer accessible due to later construction, the finds in the archaeological zone testify to the former importance of the place. The four graves discovered here are particularly interesting. They show paintings of animals and humans on stucco, and the more or less rich grave goods allow conclusions as to a differentiated social structure. 39 Visit of Mercado Zaachila in Oaxaca with ice tasting Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy Today you will visit the tianguis of Zaachila, a market that originates in times dating back to the pre-Hispanic period and whose tradition has been preserved largely unaltered. Here you can find not only victuals – in particular fruits and vegetables of every description – and snacks, but also a cattle market. Follow the scent of the ocote tree to reach the third section of the market where firewood and charcoal are for sale. After your tour of the market, some refreshment will be welcome: How about ice cream? The “nieves” of Zaachila are rooted in a long history and offer traditional, but also surprisingly new flavors. 40 Visit of the archaeological site of Mitla Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Visit the archaeological site of Mitla. The importance of this “place of the dead” is still not clear and shows how much knowledge has been lost in the course of history. The buildings were probably built entirely by the Zapotec. The Group of the Columns with the Patio of the Mosaics (Patio de las Grecas) is considered one of the highlights of pre-Columbian architecture in Mexico. Mitla was the seat of the “Great Seer” and for many years the religious center of the Zapotec. Today the neighborhood of Mitla is marked by small picturesque markets where weavings and other articles are offered. 41 Mezcal production in Santiago Matatlán Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Stopover in the small village of Santiago Matatlán and visit of a mezcal distillery. The famous Mexican liquor from the flesh of agaves always contains more than 40% alcohol. It is produced from the heart of the plant after it has blossomed for the first time. The leaves are cut, and the “piña” is cooked and ground; the mash thus obtained is fermented and distilled several times. A mezcal tasting is incomplete, of course, without the famous worm (gusano del maguey) – which, strictly speaking, is a caterpillar. 42 Visit to the springs of Hierve el Agua Duration: 02:30 h · Level: Difficult At Hierve el Agua, you visit the impressive calcified terraces, which rank among the best-known and most frequently visited natural landmarks of Oaxaca. Mineral-rich spring water has, over thousands of years, formed natural pools as well as spectacular “petrified waterfalls” that appear frozen in time. You first reach the pools fed by the springs before continuing along established paths to the higher terraces with their viewpoints. From the plateau of the Sierra Madre del Sur, wide views open over a rugged mountain landscape dotted with cacti, agaves, and dry rolling hills.
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