Guatemala /Aug 15, 2024
Mixco Viejo is a Mayan archaeological site located in Chimaltenango district, some 50kms north of the capital, Guatemala City.
Dating back to the Post Classic Mayan period, Mixco Viejo (aka Jilotepeque Viejo) was capital of the Chajoma Maya who moved to the site in the mid-15th century to take advantage of its natural defensive attributes.
Located on a 1km long ridge, the site of Mixco Viejo is surrounded by steep-sided ravines which, in addition to making the site hard to attack, also gave the city’s population plenty of advance warning from their elevated location.
In addition to these defensive attributes, the city also benefited from abundant fresh water, supplied by both the Motagua & Pixcaya Rivers.
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Alas, even with such a defensive position, Mixco Viejo was defeated by the Kaqchikel Mayans from Iximche and became a vassal state.
Unfortunately for both the Kaqchikel & Chajoma, worse was to follow with the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century and the sacking of both Iximche & Mixco Viejo.
Today, the ruins comprise some 120 structures divided into 15 groups. As the city had, certainly by Mayan standards, a relatively short history, there is a distinct uniformity in its architecture styles.
While the site can be visited on a day trip from Guatemala City, the winding roads result in a near 2-hour drive in each direction. On the plus side, and certainly compared to more famous Mayan ruins, Mixco Viejo receives very few visitors.
As an alternative to a day trip, the site can also be visited enroute from Guatemala City / Antigua to Livingston although an overnight would be required en-route, typically at Biotopo Quetzal, one of the best places in Guatemala to spot the nation’s national bird.
This brief, one week private tour includes many of the highlights of any holiday to Guatemala - colonial Antigua, Mt Pacaya volcano, Iximche Mayan ruins, beautiful Lake Atitlan and colourful Chichicastenango market.
This classic Guatemala itinerary starts in the Highland region, taking in Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan amongst others before heading north via Quirigua, Livingston & Rio Dulce to the vast flatlands of Peten, home to the great Mayan cities of Tikal & Yaxha.
This brief itinerary around the highlands of Guatemala takes in the key destinations of Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan together with some lesser known ones such as the Mayan ruins of Iximche and the city of Quetzaltenango.
Guatemala has its 4th UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of the ancient Olmec / Mayan city of Takalik Abaj.
Iximche was the 15th century capital of the Kaqchiquels, having relocated here from K’umarcaaj. At that time, the Kaqchiquels were at war with their great rivals, the K’iche, and the site of their new capital, a flat plateau surrounded by steep ravines, made for excellent natural defences.
By the standards of Guatemala’s most famous Mayan sites, such as those at Tikal & Yaxha, the small settlement of Quirigua might come as something of a let-down.
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