Mexico/Oaxaca: Mitla
The town of Mitla holds the second most important archaeological site of Oaxaca state and its right in the middle of town. The site contains sacred burials of the Zapotec people and looks quite different from the typical Mexican pyramids – the square walled building have intricate beautiful mosaics and carvings, full of geometric designs and shapes. Mitla was inhabited at least since 600 BC and reached its apogee sometime between 700 and 1500, before the Spanish arrived. The newly minted archbishop of Mitla quickly ordered the destruction of Mitla for its religious significance and Spanish military nearly destroyed the entire site, sparing a couple of buildings. The ruins were used to built the Church of San Pablo right in the center of the ruined Mitla, further desecrating the site. The pink and white church still stands here.
