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The Cathedral of the Virgin of the Assumption
North side of the Zócalo
and on the eastern side of the
Alameda
Construction of the Bishop's Palace began early (1553) during the
conquest. Earthquakes of 1694 and 1714 gravely damaged the building.
The baroque facade has been restored. The interior has a rich collection
of paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. The clock mounted
on the south tower was added later (1755) as a gift from the King
of Spain.
There are 14 chapels inside and the most famous is dedicated to
'El Señor del Rayo.' The cross hung in this chapel comes
from the original Cathedral and was the only object not incinerated
when a lighting bolt set fire to the church. Other prominent chapels
are the "Santa Cruz de Huatulco" and "Los Beatos."
Santo Domingo
de Guzmán Church
Six blocks north of the Zócalo
on Alcalá at the corner of Gurrión
The Dominican order began construction of this complex in 1570.
The church is famous for the interior decoration and the elaborate
altar made of gold and beautifully carved wood. The Chapel of the
Rosary is striking. Masses are held weekdays at 7am, 8am and 730pm
and on Sundays at 7am, 11am, 1pm, 530pm and 7:30pm. On Sundays a
mass in English is given at noon and Saturday mass is at 730pm.
The church is closed during the afternoons from 1-4pm. If you are
looking for a guide, just ask. Foreign guides present the history
of the church in various languages. They can be hired on premise.
Outside the church flamboyant trees provide generous shade on the
west side of the plaza. To the south is a line-up of stout date
palms (dateleros). FLICKR
GROUP
San Juan de Dios Church
20 de Noviembre and Aldama
This is the city's oldest church and located north of the 20
de Noviembre Market. Considering its age, it's a fairly bright
church. Look up to the ceiling for a series of paintings depicting
Biblical events. The conquistadores' arrival in Oaxaca is shown
in paintings on the north wall.
Basílica Menor
de la Soledad
Independencía #107 at Galeana, Seven blocks
west of the Alameda
This complex was completed in the late 1600s and includes the church,
convent, Sócrates
Garden and an outdoor theater (Plaza
de la Danza). The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin of Solitude,
Oaxaca's patroness. The main celebration takes place on December
18. There's a museum dedicated to religious art on the western side
of the complex.
Temple of the Blood of
Christ (Sangre de Cristo Templo)
Alcalá
The main facade of the church has an ornate, multilevel entryway,
or portada, and three towers with small steeples. The interior has
a single nave with a barrel vault. In the presbytery there is an
image of Jesus guarded by angels with the Virgen Dolorosa at the
foot of the cross.
Trinidad
de las Huertas Church
Cuahutemoc #100
The birthplace of Oaxaca's famous Radish
Night. Across the street is a great place for fresh juices and
piedrazos.
El Patrocinio
Southeast side of Llano
Park
This eighteenth-century church is consecrated to Nuestra Señora
del Patrocinio. The architectural layout consists of a single nave
covered by barrel vaults. The main facade consists of a portada
and two slender towers.
San Francisco Church
Six blocks southeast of the Zócalo,
between J.P. Bustamante and Armenta y López; two blocks from
La Defensa Church
Siete Principes Church
Located next to the Casa
de la Cultura Oaxaqueña
Templo de la Compañia/Iglesia
de la Inmaculada
Southwest of the Zócalo
at the corner of Flores Magon and Trujano
Built in 1579 by la Compañia de Jesús, this church
was built by the Jesuits and maintained until the order was expelled
from Mexico in 1767. Later it was declared a historical monument
in 1930. Open from 7am-12:30pm and from 5-8:45pm.
Guadalupe Sanctuary
North side of Llano
Park
Inagurated in 1644, this church venerates the Virgin of Guadalupe.
The main celebration takes place on December 12. If you are seeking
fresh rompope, the nuns often sell this outside the church after
the Sunday noon mass.
La Merced Church
Manuel Doblado, between Independencia and Hidalgo, 5 blocks
east of the Zócalo
This church was built in 1646. The special day is August 31st
when the church commemorates the "Blessing of the Animals"
and parishoners bring their pets -- appropriately dressed for the
occasion.
Nuestra Señora
de las Nieves Church
Corner of Reforma (formerly Calle Las Nieves) and Morelos
Formerly part of the Colegio de San Juan. The church was first
built in 1579 and renovated in 1770. The church has characteristics
of renaissance and baroque architecture.
Nuestra Señora
de la Defensa Church
Corner of Arteaga and Fiallo
Sadly three 18th century paintings were stolen from this church.
San Matías
Jalatlaco
Aldama
Located in one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, this church has
a renovated pipe organ and a beautiful tree on its east side. Construction
began in the late 1600s. The left side of the front has a belfry
tower and the towerless right side has a beautiful spiral design.
San Agustin Church
Armenta y López and Guerrero, two blocks east
of the Zócalo
Look for the carving of Saint Agustine holding the City of God
San Felipe
Neri Church
Independencia and Tinoco y Palacios
Inagurated in 1644, the church showcases the opulence of the era
and modern touches, including art deco painting. It is famous for
its role in Oaxacan history as the church where Benito
Juárez married Margarita Maza.
Carmen Abajo
Church
Tinoco y Palacios #620, corner of Morelos and across from Casa
de la Ciudad
There is a Lower Church of Saint Carmen and an Upper Church.
Why? There are two explanations. Carmen Alto is built on higher
ground than Carmen Bajo. The second explanation is that Carmen Alto
was attended by the Spanish colonists whereas Carmen Bajo ministered
to indigenous and mestizos populations. This church is shaped as
a cross.
Carmen Alto Church
Corner of Carranza and García Vigil
Built around 1670 to house Carmelite friars, the church is
said to have been constructed on the site of a temple dedicated
to the goddess Centéotl, goddess of corn
and fertility. The Spanish destroyed the temple, built the church
on top and converted the summer celebratation to the feast day of
Saint Carmen, which launches the Guelaguetza
celebration in July. Built in a neoclassic style, it houses the
Virgin of el Carmen and other religious paintings. Around 1856 the
convent was secularized and passed into the hands of the federal
government; it then served as a jail and a cavalry barracks. The
church has been restored and is open for public worship.The Plazuela
de Carmen Alto is on the south side of the church.
Parroquia
de Consolación
Moctezuma and Bustamante Streets
The construction of the first church, dedicated to Nuestra
Señora de la Consolación, was carried out between
1656 and 1661. In 1679 the Carmelites used it before they founded
their convent. It has two atriums, one in front of the main facade
and the other to the south (between the parochial annex and the
church).
Santo Tomas Xochimilco
Colonia Xochimilco
This church was built over an indigenous temple in the 16th
century. On the east side is a spectacular tree that blooms in the
early spring.
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