Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption), Oaxaca (must see)
Now that鈥檚 a name with flair. This isn鈥檛 just any church鈥攊t鈥檚 the spiritual heavyweight of Oaxaca鈥檚 Roman Catholic Archdiocese, and it鈥檚 been through a lot of shake-ups.
Construction kicked off in 1535, but things didn鈥檛 go smoothly. Earthquakes had other plans, turning the building process into a centuries-long game of architectural whack-a-mole. After several rebuilds, the version you鈥檙e seeing today finally wrapped up in 1733, standing proud in green cantera stone鈥攁 signature look in Oaxaca鈥檚 architectural wardrobe.
Step inside and you'll find elegant Neoclassical bones and an altar starring the Virgin Mary herself. That statue was handcrafted in Italy, accompanied by a bronze sculpture, because apparently when it comes to cathedral decor, only fine European imports will do.
While the original towers were toppled by the 1931 earthquake, there are still treasures tucked inside. The south wing boasts a clock sent over by Spain鈥檚 King Fernando VII. Over in the chapels, keep an eye out for the Lord of Lightning, who sounds like a Marvel character but is actually a venerated image, and the Cross of Huatulco, which has its own legend.
Oh鈥攁nd that majestic pipe organ along the choir wall? It鈥檚 been around since 1711 and got a second wind in the '90s thanks to a full restoration. Play it loud, play it proud.
Think of it as Oaxaca鈥檚 greatest multitasker: sheltering saints, guarding relics, and stealing the spotlight in every skyline shot.
Construction kicked off in 1535, but things didn鈥檛 go smoothly. Earthquakes had other plans, turning the building process into a centuries-long game of architectural whack-a-mole. After several rebuilds, the version you鈥檙e seeing today finally wrapped up in 1733, standing proud in green cantera stone鈥攁 signature look in Oaxaca鈥檚 architectural wardrobe.
Step inside and you'll find elegant Neoclassical bones and an altar starring the Virgin Mary herself. That statue was handcrafted in Italy, accompanied by a bronze sculpture, because apparently when it comes to cathedral decor, only fine European imports will do.
While the original towers were toppled by the 1931 earthquake, there are still treasures tucked inside. The south wing boasts a clock sent over by Spain鈥檚 King Fernando VII. Over in the chapels, keep an eye out for the Lord of Lightning, who sounds like a Marvel character but is actually a venerated image, and the Cross of Huatulco, which has its own legend.
Oh鈥攁nd that majestic pipe organ along the choir wall? It鈥檚 been around since 1711 and got a second wind in the '90s thanks to a full restoration. Play it loud, play it proud.
Think of it as Oaxaca鈥檚 greatest multitasker: sheltering saints, guarding relics, and stealing the spotlight in every skyline shot.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oaxaca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: 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.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption) on Map
Sight Name: Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption)
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
If cities could dance, Oaxaca would move to a slow, graceful rhythm鈥攅qual parts ancient pulse and everyday joy. Officially called Oaxaca de Ju谩rez, this southern Mexican capital is where cultures don鈥檛 just meet鈥攖hey throw a fiesta. You鈥檒l find indigenous roots running deep, wrapped in colonial charm and topped with some of the best mole sauce you鈥檒l ever taste.
Long before the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Long before the... 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...