Mixco Viejo
Gallery
The ancient capitol city of the Pok'omam´ nation founded around 1100 AD
with the name of Saqik'ajol Nimakaqapek (white son, big rock on the mount
floor), and conquered by the
Kak'chik'el around 1470 that changed its
name to Jilotep'ek, the site was siege for 3 months by the Spaniards
and destroyed on 1524.
The site is located some 35 miles north of
Guatemala City, and was
build on a leveled hill top surrounded by deep ravines, the
monumental
architecture of this post
classic site has more than 120 Structures, including 2
Ball courts, the
main features are its outstanding ball markers, and several temples and palaces in 4 main groups with 8 minor groups,
there are several reconstructed Pyramids and temples, this site also has
a small museum and the visit is worth while due to its close location to
Guatemala City and the
beautiful Kak´chikel town of
Santo Domingo Xenacoj, and
the Pok'omam' San Juan
Sacatepéquez. 
After a one hour drive through the outskirts
of Guatemala City and up the mountains one reaches San Juan
Sacatepéquez, a town of great importance for its commercial
activities and its excellent furniture production. The town’s
plaza and halls are converted daily into a hub of market
activity. Merchants and farmers from surrounding villages come
here to trade fruit, vegetables, flowers, pigs and chickens,
textiles of their indigenous dresses, pots and pans… anything
marketable, that you will enjoy before going to visit Mixco
Viejo and its relatively small area, but impressive
landscape,
and architecture, very different from other Post Classic sites.
