Monte Albán — The Eighth Tomb Secret

Your quest for the secret of the Eighth Tomb begins at the Alameda de León, a public garden inaugurated in 1885, a typical starting point for pedestrian routes in Oaxaca's historic center. This family-friendly spot, 300m from the Zócalo, prepares you for exploring the UNESCO circuit of the historic center and the Zapotec archaeological zone of Monte Albán. Tree-lined paths lead you to the vibrant heart of the Spanish colonial city, where every stone whispers the history of Oaxaca, the cultural capital of Mexico. The garden's name, in homage to José María Murguía y Galardi, a local 19th-century hero, evokes the struggles that shaped the region's identity.

The Palacio de Gobierno de Oaxaca, built between 1767 and 1773, is your next stop. Seat of the Oaxaca State government, it is located on the Zócalo, the central square built on a grid plan typical of the 16th century. Its facade, adorned with murals by Arturo López Taboada in 1980, illustrates Zapotec and Mexican history, notably depicting Monte Albán. These works, accessible to the public with free visits, bear witness to the 19th-century independence struggles and the pre-Columbian heritage that permeates the city of Oaxaca, a World Heritage site.

A few steps away, the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, a baroque masterpiece built between 1570 and 1608, stands with its 35m high facade. Its interior, decorated with 18,000 m² of gold leaf, is the largest gilded ensemble in Latin America. The adjacent convent housed a library of 20,000 volumes in the 17th century, including indigenous manuscripts, essential for your research. 500m from the Zócalo, this site is integrated into the UNESCO historic center's pedestrian routes, recalling the Dominicans' influence and the richness of the Zapotec archaeological zone.

Your journey then takes you to the Mercado Benito Juárez, a covered market built in 1890 and named after Benito Juárez, born in Oaxaca and a key figure in liberal reforms. Covering 2 hectares with over 100 stalls, it offers mezcal and Zapotec crafts. 400m from the Zócalo, it is the commercial heart of the UNESCO historic center, a place where indigenous traditions have persisted since the 19th century. Here, amidst the scents and colors, clues about Monte Albán's ancestral practices and the culture of Oaxaca, the cultural capital of Mexico, may be revealed.

Finally, the Zócalo de Oaxaca, with an area of approximately 700m x 250m, welcomes you. A UNESCO site since 1987, along with the Monte Albán archaeological zone, for its sacred topography and colonial urbanism, it has been the venue for historical gatherings, including Zapotec festivals and post-colonial events. Your adventure concludes here, in the heart of this iconic square in the city of Oaxaca. You will have discovered the deep connections between the Spanish colonial city and the pre-Columbian heritage, and perhaps even uncovered the secret of the Eighth Tomb, a treasure of the Zapotec archaeological zone.