The second great Zapotec site in the valley, about 45 km east of Oaxaca and later in date than Monte Alban — most of what stands today dates from the 12th-15th centuries. What makes Mitla special is the walls: the courtyard buildings are covered in intricate geometric mosaics made from thousands of individually cut stones, fitted without mortar into dozens of different stepped-fret patterns. Combine with a stop at the mezcal distilleries and weaving villages along the road.