Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman and Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, Oaxaca (must see)
The Church and former Convent of Saint Domingo of Guzm谩n is a Baroque beauty that鈥檚 seen centuries of devotion, drama, and a few identity crises. The story kicks off in 1551, when the city council handed over twenty-four plots of land to the Dominican Order, that was founded by Saint Domingo of Guzman. Ambitious plans were drawn, but patience was key: the complex didn鈥檛 open its doors until 1608. Good things take time.
Over the years, Santo Domingo鈥檚 quiet halls saw some loud changes. During the 19th century, when church and state were clashing across Mexico, the building was taken over by the military. Worship was paused, pews were pushed aside, and the former convent spent a stretch of time serving as a warehouse and even a stable. It took a bit of political finesse鈥攃ourtesy of Oaxacan-born president Porfirio D铆az鈥攖o return the complex to the Church. Then, in 1979, Pope John Paul II dropped by, giving the place his papal seal of approval. Soon after, UNESCO stepped in and made it official: this wasn鈥檛 just any convent鈥攊t was a world treasure.
Today, the monks are long gone, but their halls now echo with something just as precious: culture. Thanks to the vision of local artist Francisco Toledo, the old convent houses the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, where glass cases are filled with pre-Columbian wonders, including the legendary finds from Monte Alb谩n鈥檚 Tomb 7. Outside, the once-cloistered garden has blossomed into the city鈥檚 ethnobotanical garden鈥攈ome to prickly natives, healing herbs, and a few plants that look like they walked out of a science fiction novel.
The museum offers labels in both Spanish and English, though your Spanish might get more of a workout. There鈥檚 also a shop for books and keepsakes, and a library that鈥檚 no joke鈥�30,000 volumes, some dating back to the 1400s. Whether you鈥檙e here for the architecture, the archaeology, or just a peaceful stroll through living history, Santo Domingo delivers鈥攚ith centuries of stories and not a dull one in the bunch.
Over the years, Santo Domingo鈥檚 quiet halls saw some loud changes. During the 19th century, when church and state were clashing across Mexico, the building was taken over by the military. Worship was paused, pews were pushed aside, and the former convent spent a stretch of time serving as a warehouse and even a stable. It took a bit of political finesse鈥攃ourtesy of Oaxacan-born president Porfirio D铆az鈥攖o return the complex to the Church. Then, in 1979, Pope John Paul II dropped by, giving the place his papal seal of approval. Soon after, UNESCO stepped in and made it official: this wasn鈥檛 just any convent鈥攊t was a world treasure.
Today, the monks are long gone, but their halls now echo with something just as precious: culture. Thanks to the vision of local artist Francisco Toledo, the old convent houses the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, where glass cases are filled with pre-Columbian wonders, including the legendary finds from Monte Alb谩n鈥檚 Tomb 7. Outside, the once-cloistered garden has blossomed into the city鈥檚 ethnobotanical garden鈥攈ome to prickly natives, healing herbs, and a few plants that look like they walked out of a science fiction novel.
The museum offers labels in both Spanish and English, though your Spanish might get more of a workout. There鈥檚 also a shop for books and keepsakes, and a library that鈥檚 no joke鈥�30,000 volumes, some dating back to the 1400s. Whether you鈥檙e here for the architecture, the archaeology, or just a peaceful stroll through living history, Santo Domingo delivers鈥攚ith centuries of stories and not a dull one in the bunch.
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.
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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
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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
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