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.
