Guiengola

Guiengola is an archaeological site perched on a hilltop in Santo Domingo Tehuantepec with over 1,000 structures including pyramids, plazas, and residential buildings spread across a large area. The layout reveals the complexity of a fortified city with distinct zones for religious, administrative, and daily activities.

The site developed as a fortified Zapotec center and reached its peak importance between 1350 and 1521. During this period, the city successfully defended itself against military attacks from the Aztec Empire while maintaining its political independence.

The burial sites reveal how the Zapotec people honored their dead and expressed their spiritual beliefs through careful chamber arrangements. These tombs show the importance they placed on separating ritual spaces from those reserved for their leaders and ancestors.

Access requires driving on an unpaved road to reach the trailhead, followed by a steep climb with significant elevation gain. Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and plenty of water, as the hillside offers little shade during the hike.

Lidar scans conducted between 2018 and 2023 revealed artificial ponds and multiple ceremonial structures previously hidden beneath vegetation. These discoveries showed that the fortified city was far larger and more elaborate than previously understood.