Interesting Places

As you walk through the streets of Oaxaca City you’ll discover beautiful civic and religious buildings, particularly in the Historic Center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO due to the artistic and cultural value of the following buildings:

Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo)–

 Located between Hidalgo, Trujano, Flores Magon and Bustamente streets, in the Historic Center. The main sights here are the corridors lining the plaza and the art nouveau-style pavilion, which takes you back to the Porfirian era at the beginning of the 20^th century.

Palacio de Gobierno – Located at Avenida Guerrero and Miguel Cabrera, this building with a neoclassical fatade houses an important collection of murals by artist Arturo Garcia Bustos. The murals chronicle the history of pre-Hispanic Oaxaca, the conquest and independence. They also depict the formation of the universe and ancient indigenous beliefs. Open daily from 10:00 to 6:00.

Alameda de Leon

 Located on Independence Street in the Historic Center. This place was once a small plaza called Cantaros (pitchers) because it was an area where potters sold their wares. Alameda was inaugurated as a garden in 1843 in honour of General Antonio de Leon.

Catedral (Cathedral)

Located beside the Alameda de Leon in the Historic Center. This is the city’s most important church. Construction began in 1535 as a headquarters for bishops and it was finished in 1574. The Baroque-style fatade has sculptures of Catholic saints, which surround a beautiful relief depicting the Assumption of Mary. It is a replica of a painting by El Tiziano. Inside you can admire numerous works of art, images and relics of the 19^th century, such as the remains of the famous Cross of Huatulco, a legendary symbol of faith for Oaxaca’s coastal residents. Open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Templo y Ex Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzman –

 Located on Macedonio Alcala Street in the Historic Center. Considered one of the architectural marvels of the city, this complex stands out for the temple’s fatade, which has three main bodies. Inside the recently remodelled Baroque architecture features a principal altarpiece in the nave, 10 chapels and a large dome with 104 paintings of religious martyrs. The paintings were done between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 8:00.

  Templo de San Felipe Neri – Located on Avenida Independencia, at Tinoco y Palacios Street in the Historic Center. The Baroque-style fatade is constructed with three main bodies and a crest. Former Mexican President Benito Juarez and Margarita Maza, a Oaxaca native who helped the poor, were married at this site in the 19^th century. Open daily from 9:00 to 6:00.

Basilica de la Soledad – Located on Avenida Independencia, near the Jardin Socrates. This 17^th-century construction is one of the most important examples of religious architecture during the Viceregal era in Oaxaca. Open daily from 9:00 to 6:00.