Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico. A measured life in a colonial city
When you constantly move from place to place, and cities flash before your eyes like movie frames, at a certain moment it begins to seem that they all merge into one big multi-colored lump. Veracruz, which turned out to be surprisingly boring, unsympathetic and generally somehow non-Mexican, knocked us out of this stream a little. Although, what else could you expect from a port town. After this little disappointment Oaxaca became a truly salutary balm that poured on our souls so close to Mexico.
However, even here the heat and the ensuing satiety did their insidious deed: we were a little lazy and did not see everything in the city that he offered.
In other matters, this mainly affected museums, to which we are not too enthusiastic about it. However, the situation quickly improved and all laziness vanished as if by hand, it was only necessary to leave the city and start exploring the surroundings. But this is a completely different story, which I will definitely tell.
Now I will tell about Oaxaca and its attractions seen by us.
Oaxaca landmarks
The central part of Oaxaca, in which all the main attractions are concentrated, is quite small, it will not be difficult to get around it in one day. And we did it: on the first day of walking, we saw everything that was interesting according to the list, and on other days we just wandered around, staring aimlessly around. Since we spent two whole weeks in the city, some streets were walked more than once and became just like family.
The house we lived in was on De La República street, so every time we walked towards the center we were greeted by a majestic Temple of Our Lady(Templo de Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio). This is the first building that caught my eye when we walked from the bus station, just stepping onto Oaxaca land. Firstly, I was surprised by the unusual shape, and secondly, the color of the stone from which the church was built.
This is one of the main secrets of Oaxaca and its distinctive feature - buildings of greenish sandstone. If I'm not mistaken, then most of the buildings in the central part of the city are made of it. Most of the houses are painted, but some are specially left with "windows" so that it can be seen that green stones are hidden under the paint.
Already in the center, we were greeted by the second Oaxacan miracle - a huge mahogany, similar to a fiery cloud, which is called the royal delonix.
Before getting closer to him, we decided to drop into Institute of Graphic Arts(Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca). To be honest, we were no longer attracted by a healthy interest, but by free admission, in contrast to the same Juarez House Museum(Museo de Sitio Casa Juárez). In the end, we have bypassed the latter.
At the Institute of Graphic Arts, the courtyard turned out to be the most interesting of all that could be seen.
We returned to the magnificent red handsome man. By the way, before Oaxaca, such trees were not found. I wonder why? Do they grow only here or did they not bloom before and went unnoticed?
Delonix neighbors with Saint Domingo square(Plaza Santo Domingo).
On the square rises a huge Temple all the same Saint Domingo(Templo de Santo Domingo). Large and elegant on the outside, it amazes no less with its interior decoration.
A little to the left of the entrance to the Temple, another door is hidden, inviting Museum of culture(Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca), one of the most famous and visited in Oaxaca. There used to be a monastery on the territory of the museum, judging by its size and design, it was far from poor.
Accordingly, the museum is also large.
Numerous rooms are filled with photographs, household items, ornaments, tools and other riches. There is a large library with old books, which, of course, cannot be touched. The terraces offer scenic views of the city surrounded by mountains.
Stretched out under the windows Ethno-botanical garden(Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca). His main pride, apparently, is the many different types of cacti. You can visit it, but for this you need to get on a paid excursion, anyone who wants to walk on it cannot. We had seen enough of cacti in San Miguel, so we decided to skip this garden.
Not having time to start examining the Oaxacan riches, they wanted to take a break. I want it, so I want it, why deny myself? The choice fell on a small coffee shop KIOO in red and white with Che's comrade peeping from the wall and a cappuccino latte. In the following days, we came here more than once. It turned out that they serve good coffee with mescal and whipped cream, and you can play billiards if you don't mind a crooked table and a short cue.
After drinking coffee, we set off with renewed vigor to continue our acquaintance with the city.
The magic word "photography" caught my eye, past which Andryusiks could not bring himself to pass. So we went to admire the photographs in Alvarez Bravo Center for Photography(Centro Fotográfico Manuel Álvarez Bravo).
The works, in my opinion, are weird, but not devoid of originality and meaning. However, this was again one of those times when the courtyard was liked more of a museum content.
Leaving the museum, we returned to the central street of Alcala(Calle Alcala), dropped by the little Labastida park(Parque Labastida), where they found street artists and moved on.
The last museum that we mastered today was Art museum(Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca). It presents the works of contemporary authors. I will not scold or praise them, I will say one thing: I do not understand such art very well. Although, some work deserves attention.
A balcony overlooking Alcala became a bonus to the incomprehensible pictures. It was curious to watch the people busy with their own affairs.
By the way, there were not so many visiting tourists in Oaxaca as expected.
But we met a lot of Mexicans who gladly visited museums and other attractions. By the way, they take pictures all around no less than we, overseas tourists.
They decided not to go to museums anymore. Instead, we just went to wander the streets and see how the local people live.
All the Mexican cities we've been to are, in fact, very similar. They have a single skeleton: in the very center there is a square, next to or on which a large temple has been erected; to the sides of the square, streets with shops, restaurants, museums and other churches run up. This is how the core of any city looks like. But, despite all the similarities, everyone has their own mood, character and characteristics.
While we walked and thought about this similarity, we walked to that very central square... They are called in Mexico Zocalo(Zocalo) with stress on the first syllable. What do you think we found first there? That's right, that very huge church, or rather, Cathedral(Catedral de Oaxaca). It seems that you can already walk with your eyes closed))
Not only was it Sunday in the yard, but it also coincided with the last day of Easter or Holy Week (Semana Santa), so there were a lot of people on the square having a rest. Mexicans love and know how to have fun: an atmosphere of fun and carelessness reigns everywhere, it seems that the music never stops in the center. Either ensembles perform, or orchestras, or some self-employed people extract not always harmonious sounds from their favorite instruments.
For example, we got to the performance of the group Cerquita del Rio. They listened as if enchanted. It's great that there is an opportunity to listen to high-quality live music like that for free in the middle of the day.
What am I all about sights, but about sights? I'll just write about impressions of the city... Oaxaca already on the second day seemed completely dear. I had a feeling that the city was familiar for a long time, that it was very homely and understandable. Maybe the whole point is in the undersized houses, maybe in the fact that he is so cozy in the middle of the mountains, like a cat curled up on an armchair, maybe in the openness of the Mexicans. By the way, Oaxaca entered our TOP-5 favorite cities with Andriusiks.
So we reached another large church in cozy streets - Basilicas of Our Lady(Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude). She turned out to be not only huge, but also beautiful. The facade is covered with carvings and looks like lace. For some reason, while we were examining the Basilica, the library of Celsius in the Turkish Ephesus came to mind more than once.
Time flew by completely unnoticed in the market, it was time to return to Zocalo. Fans of spirits or just the curious will appreciate a walk along the central streets at its true worth: in every shop specializing in the sale of mescal, you can try this drink. And it doesn't matter if you are going to buy something or not.
At Zocalo, meanwhile, life not only did not subside, but gained even greater momentum. There were young people conducting some unknown rituals, funny characters trying to make money on their unusual appearance, flocks of frolicking kids, flirting couples and even marching police officers with service dogs.
After it got dark, the police also staged a concert in a gazebo in the middle of the park. A real orchestra with a conductor, violins, trumpets and other attributes. Which was a great end to a busy and interesting day.
It so happened that during this one day we managed to see the whole center of Oaxaca. They decided not to go to the museums that had not been visited. Why, if there is neither desire nor mood? But we enjoyed a ride around the neighborhood, saw the pyramids of Monte Alban, the ruins of the ancient city in Mitla, enjoyed the wonderful views in the Jerve el Agua park and looked at the world's largest (by some parameters) Tule tree.
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The capital of the eponymous state of Oaxaca. Located in the Sierra Madre del Sur, 480 km from. Population - 258,008 people (2010).
Unlike many other Mexican cities, Oaxaca has not been affected by industrialization, thanks to which the atmosphere of the quiet town of New Spain has been preserved here. History Center the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Oaxaca is one of the most popular tourist destinations Mexico.
Story
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, on the site of modern Oaxaca there were settlements of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, which were under the influence of the neighboring city, now known as Monte Alban.
Colonial Oaxaca was founded in 1532 by Spanish settlers who followed Hernan Cortez. First they founded a city called Antequera, Oaxaca is still known by the nickname "Verde Antequera".
The city received its current name only in 1832, and since 1872 it was officially named Oaxaca de Juarez in honor of the national hero of Mexico Benito Juarez, who was born nearby.
Mescal Oaxaca
is a traditional Mexican alcoholic drink made from fermented agave juice. The most common variety is tequila. All distilled alcoholic drinks based on agave, with the exception of tequila itself.
Most of Mexico's mezcal is produced in the state of Oaxaca.
The technology for making mezcal is basically the same as that of tequila. Agave cores are baked in conical stone pits-ovens, placed on charcoal, covered with layers of palm fibers, with earth and kept there for two to three days. Agave prepared in this way is saturated with a smoky aroma. Types of agave used to make mescal: Agava cupreata, Agava potatorum, Agava wislizeni.
Then the juice is fermented for 3 days. Unlike tequila, no sugar is added when agave juice is fermented. Since the middle of the 20th century, mezcal has been produced by double distillation. Since then, the standard strength has been 38-43% by volume. Prior to this period, single distillation was used, which gave an alcoholic strength of about 25% vol.
Mescal has a stronger taste and aroma compared to tequila. There are many types of mescal, which differ significantly from each other in terms of taste.
Oaxaca landmarks
Zócalo Square or Constitution Square- the main square of Oaxaca, here is the very center of the city and its most important buildings, including the Governor's Palace and Cathedral... The square was laid immediately after the founding of the city in 1529.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion- the cathedral, famous for its unique interpretation of the Baroque style in architecture. It is located in the Zocalo square. Its construction began in 1535 and was consecrated on July 12, 1733.
- Church and former monastery in Oaxaca. The complex was founded by Dominican monks in 1570 and was slowly built over the next two centuries. The monastery operated from 1608 to 1857.
At the height of the revolution in 1860, the church was turned into a stable, and barracks for soldiers were set up in the monastery cells. Only at the beginning of the 20th century was the church freed and consecrated again. Divine services in it resumed in 1938.
In the period from 1994 to 1999, the entire complex was carefully restored. Now the monastic cells display valuable items found by archaeologists in the vicinity of Oaxaca during excavations of the ancient settlements of the Zapotecs, Mixtecs and Aztecs.
- the house where the former President of Mexico Benito Juarez spent his childhood.
Benito was born in the modest Zapotec village of Guelatao, 60 km northeast of Oaxaca. The parents died when the child was 3 years old, and at the age of 12 Benito found work at the house of bookbinder Antonio Salanuev in Oaxaca. The master saw great potential in the boy and helped him get an education. Salanuev's house contains a bookbinding workshop and several Benito memorabilia.
Regional Museum of Oaxaca (Museo Regional de Oaxaca)- Museum of the history and culture of the region, with exhibits of the Zapotec, Mixtec and Olmec civilizations, as well as the eras of colonization and revolution, the most stunning of which is the collection of treasures from Tomb 7 in Monte Alban, found by the archaeologist Alfonso Caso in the 1930s.
Rufino Tamayo Museum- this art museum with a collection of objects from the pre-Hispanic period was donated to the city of Oaxaca by its most famous painters, Rufino Tamayo.
Oaxaca neighborhood attractions
One of the main attractions in the vicinity of Oaxaca is a large archaeological complex located 9 km from the city center and included in the list World heritage UNESCO.
Monte Alban is the very first city in Mesoamerica and for almost a thousand years played a significant role as the political and economic center of the Zapotec civilization.
Monte Alban was founded in 500 BC. BC, and by about 200 AD. e. it was already the capital of a large expansionist state that controlled most of the Oaxaca Highlands and interacted with other states in the region.
The city lost its political significance by the end of the Classic period (about 500-750 AD) and then was practically abandoned.
The second most important archaeological complex of the Oaxaca region is ancient city located 50 km from the city of Oaxaca.
The settlement on the site of Mitla appeared around 500 BC. BC, however, the oldest surviving buildings date back to 200 AD. e. Mitla was one of the largest centers of the pre-Columbian Indian cultures of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs. As the neighboring city of Monte Alban rose, the population gradually left Mitla, and the city increasingly turned into a cult complex.
During its heyday (X-XV centuries), the population of Mitla exceeded 10 thousand people, the city then stretched along the Rio Mitla for a distance of more than 1 kilometer. Around 1000 A.D. e., with the beginning of the invasion of the Mixtecs, the city was surrounded by a stone wall, a citadel was erected and the residence of the high priest-ruler of the Zapotecs was located here, and after the fall of the city of Monte Alban, their capital was also located.
In 1494 the city was captured and plundered by the Aztecs, and in 1520 it was discovered by the Spanish conquistadors.
- Pre-Columbian settlement (now an archaeological site), located 34 km from Oaxaca.
The earliest traces of the settlement date back to 3000 BC. e. The city was founded in the 5th century. BC e. Zapotecs, later the city was captured and developed by the Mixtecs. Around 900 AD e. several pyramids were built, and in 1300-1400. - several palaces.
10 km from the center of Oaxaca, in the town Santa Maria del Tule is growing cypress El Arbol del Tule- the oldest and largest tree in the world (over 2000 years old). It has a height of 40 meters, an estimated weight of 630 tons, and a diameter of about 40 meters. The trunk of the tree is so wide that only 30 people with outstretched arms can grasp it.
Last changes: 09.04.2015
The city of Oaxaca (Oaxaca de Juárez) is located in the southern part of Mexico, in the Sierra Madre del Sur, and is the capital of the province of the same name. Oaxaca was founded by Spanish settlers in 1532 during the colonial conquests. Then Oaxaca was called Antequera. The city received its current name only in 1832, and since 1872 it was officially named Oaxaca de Juarez in honor of the national hero of Mexico Benito Juarez, who was born nearby.
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How to get to Oaxaca
Oaxaca has two main bus terminals - Terminal de Autobuses de Primera Clase, where the luxury companies UNO and ADO GL, the first class companies ADO, OCC and the second class company Cuenca are based. In the second terminal, Terminal de Autobuses de Segunda Clase, the second class companies are based: Fletes y Pasajes and Estrella del Valle / Oaxaca Pacífico, operating routes long distance... There is also a third terminal, Sur Bus Station, where Sur and AU are based.
Tickets are sold at ticket offices located in the city center:
- on Calle 20 de Noviembre 103 (opening hours: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 22:00; Sun from 8:00 to 16:00);
- at Valdivieso 2 (opening hours: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 22:00; Sun from 8:00 to 21:00).
Buses departing from Terminal de Autobuses de Primera Clase to the Oaxaca coast follow a long route through the town of Salina Cruz. There are also faster ways to get to the coastal cities of Puerto Escondido (fare 200-400 MXN, travel time 6 hours) and Poshutla - by minibuses along Highways No. 131 and No. 175, respectively. Express Service operates a bus service to Puerto Escondido 9 times a day from 5:00 to 21:00, and Transportes Villa del Mar 6 times a day from 6:30 to 17:00.
Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Find flights to Mexico City (closest airport to Oaxaca)
By car
Highway 135D branches off from Highway 150D, which connects Mexico City and Veracruz. The road runs from the northern part of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains to the city of Oaxaca. The road tax will cost MXN 430 and the trip will take about 5-6 hours. For unknown reasons, some sections of road No. 135D are numbered 131D. An alternative and free road is Highway 191 through Huahuapan de Leon, but the journey will take a couple of hours longer.
Car rental prices range from 600 MXN per day with unlimited mileage. You can rent a car at the following locations:
- Alamo. Located at the airport. Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. from 8:00 to 20:00; Sun from 8:00 to 19:00.
- Center. Located at de Mayo 203. Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. from 8:00 to 20:00; Sun from 8:00 to 19:00.
- Es rent a car. Located at de Mayo 315.
- Hertz. Located at the airport. Working hours: from 7:00 to 19:00.
By plane
There are regular direct flights to Oaxaca airport from Mexico City (travel time 1 hour) - at least 5 times a day with Mexicana, twice a day with Click Mexicana and Aeroméxico Connect, and daily with Aviacsa.
Continental flights operate 4 times a week from Houston and Texas. Click Mexicana has flights to Tuxtla Gutierrez and Merida. Avolar flies to Cuernavaca and Tijuana, and Alma de México flies to Guadalajara and Tuxtla Gutierrez.
In small planes that can seat 7 to 13 passengers, you can take a dizzying half-hour flight over the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, located on the Oaxaca coast. A ticket to Huatulco will cost about 2000 MXN one way, and a ticket to Puerto Escondido will cost 1500 MXN on Aerovega and 2200 MXN on Aerotucán.
Transport
The fare for city buses is 8 MXN. Juárez buses leave from Terminal de Autobuses de Primera Clase to Juárez and Melchor Ocampo Streets, 3 blocks east of the city's main square, Zócalo. Tinoco y Palacios or JP García buses run to Tinoco y Palacios, 2 blocks west of Zócalo.
Buses between Terminal de Autobuses de Segunda Clase and the city center follow the congested streets - and travel as fast as walking to the city center.
A taxi for a trip around the city will cost 40-60 MXN.
Kitchen
Xóchitl, a soup made from squash, squash flowers and corn, is considered a traditional Oaxacan dish. The dish can be enjoyed at the María Bonita restaurant located on Alcalá 706B north of the city center.
To taste the delicious Mexican cuisine, you should go to the Los Danzantes restaurant. They specialize in duck dishes and have their own brand of mezcal, a traditional Mexican drink made from fermented agave juice.
The Casa Oaxaca restaurant serves delicious duck tacos with molé sauce and venison tamales. The restaurant is located in the city center at Constitución 104A. Small restaurant La Olla specializes in Oaxacan delicacies - from cactus tacos to prawns cooked in spicy sauce (camarones a la diabla). The restaurant is located at Reforma 402.
Popular hotels in Oaxaca
Oaxaca attractions and attractions
Of interest in the city is the Ex Convento de Santo Domingo church, built between 1570 and 1608, formerly serving as a Dominican monastery. As in other earthquake-prone regions, thick stone walls surround the Church of Santo Domingo.
Between Porfirio Díaz and Tinoco y Palacios there is a market under open air Mercado Sánchez Pascuas.
Not far from the church is the Museo Regional de Oaxaca, a history and culture museum with collections covering the civilizations of the Zapotecs, Mishtecs and Olmecs, as well as colonial and revolutionary periods of history. One of the most impressive collections is the collection of jewels discovered during excavations at Monte Alban in Tomb No. 7 in the 1930s.
In Oaxaca, you can visit the house-museum of the national hero of Mexico Benito Juarez - Casa de Benito Juarez. Benito was born in the modest Zapotec village of Guelatao, 60 km northeast of Oaxaca. The parents died when the child was 3 years old, and at the age of 12 Benito found work at the house of bookbinder Antonio Salanuev in Oaxaca. The master saw great potential in the boy and helped him get an education. Salanuev's house contains a bookbinding workshop and several Benito memorabilia. The museum is open to visitors from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, from Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee is 43 MXN.
The Rufino Tamayo Museum of Art, with a collection of pre-Hispanic objects, was donated to the city of Oaxaca by its most famous painters, Rufino Tamayo. Museum opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sat. from 10:00 to 19:00, break from 14:00 to 16:00; Sun from 10:00 to 15:00.
Oaxaca neighborhood
One of the main attractions of Oaxaca is the archaeological complex Monte Alban, located 9 km from the city and designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Monte Alban is located on a low ridge in the Oaxaca Valley and is a pre-Columbian settlement. Monte Alban was founded in 500 BC. e. Indian peoples Zapotekami and was the first city of Mesoamerica.
The second most important archaeological complex in the Oaxaca region is the settlement of Mitla, located 40 km from the city of Oaxaca. Unlike Monte Alban, which rises on the top of the mountain, the city of Mitla was built in the lower part of the valley. The archaeological excavations of Mitla can be roughly divided into two parts: the northern part, where the Church of San Pablo, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century, is located, and the southern part, the main building of which is the palace, often referred to as the columned hall. The perimeter of the palace is 37 by 6.4 meters and is surrounded by 6 columns of volcanic stone. These columns used to support the roof. Not far from the palace there are tombs where the high priests and rulers of the Zapotec civilization were buried.
9 km from Oaxaca, in the town of Santa María del Tule, the El Árbol del Tule tree grows with the thickest trunk in the world. In 2011, the tree was included in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
Thule is the Tree of Life, it is also the famous Mexican tree, proudly towering near the city of Oaxaca in Mexico.
Thule belongs to the species Taxodium (marsh cypress) and even has a human name - Sabino. The roots of the famous tree go into the ground to a depth of 80 meters, the shadow from the crown covers more than 500 m2, the height of the natural sculpture is about 42 meters, the trunk diameter is 14 meters, and the waist is 58 meters.
The branches and outgrowths of the tree resemble images of animals - a lion, a deer, a turtle, a fish, a crocodile. And this, by no means, is not a riot of fantasy. All these animals figure in an old Indian legend.
Briefly - a legend: once the animals were friendly with each other and spoke the same language, and they had an enemy - a merciless man. The animals could not cope with the erect one and turned to the god Pitao for help. Among the most dissatisfied were a lion, a deer, a turtle, a fish and a crocodile. In general, Pitao advised the animals to be careful, but the animals did not succeed. And at the moment when the animals, once again, were surrounded by hunters, they asked for help from the tree and it covered them. Forever.
The church of Santa Maria del Tule was built near the cypress. On major religious holidays, the procession performs a procession of the cross not only around the church, but also around the tree, thereby showing respect and reverence to its pet.
The natural pool of Jerve el Agua
Jerve el Agua is a unique natural pool and petrified waterfalls located in the mountains, 70 kilometers from the city of Ohaka. The petrified waterfalls, as if by magic, froze for centuries and fascinate with their extraordinary beauty. 95% of the surface composition of frozen waterfalls is calcium carbonate. This unforgettable, mesmerizing sight will not leave anyone indifferent. An ideal option to get more impressions and emotions can be a night spent in the mountains, which will give you the opportunity to watch the sunset and meet an unforgettable sunrise in the morning.
"Cascada chica" - first sample amazing creations the local nature. It is a rock, 60 meters wide and 30 meters high, on which there are two pools. The first is cold, for extreme lovers, the second is more comfortable, warmer. The second pool, "cascada grande", is a little further away. It is much larger in size, a spring flows out of it.
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Indian city of Monte Alban
In 1931, the Mexican scientist Alfonso Caso, nine kilometers from the capital of the state of Oaxaca, began excavations, as a result of which the ancient pre-Columbian Indian settlement of Monte Alban was found. This name was invented by the archaeologists themselves, because history has not preserved the real name of the city.
When the tomb was opened, fabulous treasures were discovered. It is hardly possible to name how many of them there were in fact, but about five hundred copies reached the museums. In addition to many bracelets, gold necklaces and a golden mask of the god Thype Totek (covered with human skin), one of the most mysterious finds of our time was found - crystal human skulls carved from a single piece of crystal. It is known that rhinestone can only be cut with a diamond. How the ancient Indian tribe managed to do this is a question that haunts many scientists.
The Regional Museum of Oaxaca is considered the cultural center of the city.
The building of the Regional Museum of Oaxaca was built at the end of the sixteenth century. Previously, a monastery was located on this site. The halls of the museum, where its exhibits are located, used to serve as cells for monks. In addition to antique jewelry, valuable cutlery and household items, the museum contains things found in the tombs of Mexican rulers. There is also a hall in the museum, which displays paintings by local artists.
The Regional Museum of Oaxaca is open all year round. Not only Mexicans come to look at his collections, but also guests of Mexico.
The museum covers an area of several square kilometers. Therefore, many who come here do not go to the museum itself, but wander around its environs.
There is a huge ethnobotanical garden next to the Regional Museum of Oaxaca. It contains a large collection of trees and plants that grow in Mexico.
Juarez El Llano Park
One of the decorations of Oaxaca is the El Llano Park, or, as it is otherwise called, Paseo Juarez. Almost from the moment of its formation, this place has been significant on the map of the city. In the old days, this area housed a zoo, where you could see large African animals. Later, in the 70s of the 20th century, it was transformed into a city park and decorated with fountains. As a reminder of the zoological past, a pair of gilded lions stands at each corner of the park.
Now the park is one of the city's centers of attraction. It is surrounded by beautiful buildings that can be considered examples of colonial architecture: the Teatro Juarez, the Monastery of Mary of Guadalupe, the Church of Our Lady of Patronate and others. There are many shops and restaurants in the surrounding area.
The park itself looks cozy and elegant; moreover, it is one of the few green places in the city. Its center is decorated with a monument depicting Benito Juarez.
Nowadays, the park is a place where not only the townspeople have a rest with pleasure. Many significant city events are held here.
There is free wi-fi throughout the park.
Theater of Macedonio de Alcalá
This theater is a rich and fashionable building, the architecture of which is influenced by the Renaissance. Columns, flowing lines, dome, balustrades, caryatids very much decorate the building and give it a solemn look.
Its construction was carried out from 1903 to 1909. The theater was opened to the public in September 1909.
An interesting detail: the building was originally used as a casino theater. And only in the 30s of the last century it was retrained into a musical theater.
Its interior decoration is also luxurious. The white marble staircase, sculptures, delicate carvings and opulence underline the building's purpose as a temple of art. The five-tiered hall can accommodate over a thousand people.
In the theater you can watch musical performances, but it also willingly rents out its premises for all sorts of events.
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Oaxaca Culture Museum
The Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, which examines in detail the history of the development of different peoples inhabiting the region, itself has rich history... It was founded back in the 19th century, in 1831. Until 1933, it remained essentially a small archaeological exhibition. Later, the museum significantly expanded its collection and is located within the walls of the former monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzman, which itself is a significant historical monument. Now the exposition of the museum offers to get acquainted in detail with the local ethnographic history, which is supported by archaeological finds from different times and other artifacts.
The museum gives a complete picture of the life of the people of Oaxaca in the space-time continuum. In its halls one can find a reflection of all spheres of human life: politics, history, religion, culture, economics, and so on. All this carries the main idea - the desire to preserve their cultural identity.
The museum is part of the whole cultural center, which, in addition to it, includes a church, a library and a kind of ethnobotanical-historical garden.
The most popular attractions in Oaxaca with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Oaxaca on our website.
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