Monte Alban

Above is the ancient Zapotec capital of Monte Alban, and my new favourite spot in Mexico.
The sight sits four hundred metres above the city of Oaxaca on the valley floor below, giving it a truly grandiose and otherworldly feel.

It was first occupied around 500 BC and was developed and increased in size up until around the ninth century, at which point it was inexplicably abandoned.

Alban was ruled by a priest-led, highly organised society, controlling much of the Valles Centrales. It held two hundred other settlements and ceremonial centres, and it's even believed rival settlement leaders were often captured, castrated and sacrificed to the Gods.

Fascinating history aside, it was simply a beautiful place to stroll and explore, with an almost park like feel.
We had to get the (somewhat scary) bus back down after a couple of hours - but could have happily stayed there all day long.