Around Oaxaca - photos 1

Around Oaxaca: Monte Alban and the ''Arbol de Tule''

##Monte Alban is a former capital of the Zapotec civilization founded around 500BC and was dominating much of the Oaxacan highlands. By AD500-750, the city lost it's political dominance and was thereafter abandoned. The site stands on a flattened hilltop west of Oaxaca {30min in bus}.

- Panorama of Monte Alban from the South platform. In front, the edifice J or 'observatorio' then the edifices G, H and I and on the background, the North platform,
- Panorama of the West side of the site with from front left: edifice O, system M and edifices L and N,
- Staircases of North Platform. These were forbidden to the public,
- Due to its position 400m above the valley floor, Monte Alban offered nice aerial views of the valleys,

##El Arbol del Tule is situated in the village of Tule, 10km from Oaxaca and is considered like the largest in the world. The trunk of this 'ahuehuete' or Montuzema Cypress, possesses a diameter of 14m!!! The tree is 42m high and more than 2000 years old!!! It stands close to the 17th Century Church.

- El Arbol del Tule is situated left of the church. On the right, its son,
- Lee in front if the trunk of the Tree. This Cypress looked massive!!!
- A part of the branches of the tree...amazing!