Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman and Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, Oaxaca (must see)
The Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, also known as the Temple of Santo Domingo, is situated in the vibrant city of Oaxaca, Mexico. It stands as a remarkable example of New Spanish Baroque architecture. The initial construction endeavors for this edifice can be traced back to 1551 when the City Council of Antequera de Oaxaca generously allocated twenty-four plots of land to the Dominican Order for the establishment of a convent in the city. However, it wasn't until 1608 that the convent complex of Santo Domingo was officially inaugurated.
Throughout its storied past, the Convent of Santo Domingo has witnessed numerous significant events in the history of Mexico. It has served as a military warehouse and a stable, and during the era of Jacobin secularism brought about by the Reform War, it was temporarily closed to Catholic worship. Eventually, it was restored to the Church under an agreement made by Porfirio D铆az. In 1979, the esteemed Catholic pontiff, John Paul II, paid a visit to the convent, which further added to its historical significance. Later, the site, along with the entire Historic Center of Oaxaca, was bestowed the honor of being designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The former quarters of the convent now house the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca). This remarkable institution was established with the support of the talented artist Francisco Toledo, who hails from Oaxaca. The museum boasts an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including the contents of Tomb 7 from the nearby Zapotec site of Monte Alb谩n. The once-monastic garden has been transformed into an ethnobotanical garden, showcasing a diverse array of plants indigenous to the region.
The museum offers a combination of English and Spanish explanatory material, although the majority is presented in Spanish. Additionally, visitors can explore a delightful book and souvenir shop, as well as a captivating on-site library housing an impressive collection of 30,000 titles in multiple languages. Some of these extraordinary books even date back to the 15th century.
Throughout its storied past, the Convent of Santo Domingo has witnessed numerous significant events in the history of Mexico. It has served as a military warehouse and a stable, and during the era of Jacobin secularism brought about by the Reform War, it was temporarily closed to Catholic worship. Eventually, it was restored to the Church under an agreement made by Porfirio D铆az. In 1979, the esteemed Catholic pontiff, John Paul II, paid a visit to the convent, which further added to its historical significance. Later, the site, along with the entire Historic Center of Oaxaca, was bestowed the honor of being designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The former quarters of the convent now house the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca). This remarkable institution was established with the support of the talented artist Francisco Toledo, who hails from Oaxaca. The museum boasts an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including the contents of Tomb 7 from the nearby Zapotec site of Monte Alb谩n. The once-monastic garden has been transformed into an ethnobotanical garden, showcasing a diverse array of plants indigenous to the region.
The museum offers a combination of English and Spanish explanatory material, although the majority is presented in Spanish. Additionally, visitors can explore a delightful book and souvenir shop, as well as a captivating on-site library housing an impressive collection of 30,000 titles in multiple languages. Some of these extraordinary books even date back to the 15th century.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oaxaca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman and Museum of Oaxacan Cultures on Map
Sight Name: Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman and Museum of Oaxacan Cultures
Sight Location: Oaxaca, Mexico (See walking tours in Oaxaca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Oaxaca, Mexico (See walking tours in Oaxaca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Oaxaca, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Oaxaca
Creating your own self-guided walk in Oaxaca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Oaxaca Introduction Walking Tour
Oaxaca City, or Oaxaca de Ju谩rez, is the capital of the eponymous Mexican state in the southern part of the country. Oaxaca is often lauded for its cultural richness 鈥� a place where the colors of Mexico mix in an attractive palette of both Indian and Spanish elements.
The region had been inhabited by numerous indigenous groups, primarily the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, for thousands of years... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
The region had been inhabited by numerous indigenous groups, primarily the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, for thousands of years... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
A Taste of Oaxaca
Mexican food is world famous but what most people do not know is most of that distinctly Mexican food comes from Oaxaca. Many famous chefs come to this city to study the art of Mexican cuisine, including top chef Susana Trilling who now calls Oaxaca her home. This tour highlights the best Oaxaca has...
Pubs and Clubs of Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a very artistic city, full of musicians and artists trying to get their revolutionary message out. It has a few salsa joints but Oaxaquenos would rather be heard. There are some fantastic funky little pubs that have live music or even at times poetry readings. Later on in the night you can...