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OAXACA

Look at that building! Interesting Places in Oaxaca City
by Ron Mader

OAXACA WIKI
MEXICO FORUM

Look at that building.
- City Notebook

VIDEOS: YouTube

Oaxaca City has many points of interest to explore.

RECOMMENDATION --If you have limited time, check out the Xochimilco Arches (Arquitos) and the Macedonio Alcalá Theater. The Observatorio celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008.

INDEX

Auditorio - Mirador - Oaxaca Children's Library - Xochimilco Arches - City Hall - Casa de la Cultura Oaxaqueña - Seven Regions Fountain - Macedonio Alcalá Theater - Santa Catalina Monastery - Train Station - Central Public Library (Biblioteca Pública Central) - National Pawnshop (Nacional Monte de Piedad) - Educardo Vasconcelos Baseball Stadium - Centro Diocesano de Pastoral (Antiguo Seminario) - Observatorio - Casa de Alejandro de Leon

What makes a building notable? Age? Character? Beauty?

The following are a few of Oaxaca's most interesting places to visit.

FOLLOW THE TREES

Antigua Estación del Ferrocarril (Old Train Station)
Calzada Madero #511, Barrio del Ex-Marquesado
The old station (Ferrocarril) no longer has train service. There is a museum, a 500+ year-old ahuehuete and the Tianguis Ecológico La Estación. The station was constructed during the governorship of Gregorio Chávez, who also planted trees in the Llano Park and developed what would become the Juárez Market. The ahuehuete is located about 2 blocks (200 meters) northwest of the train station's main entrance on the far side of the warehouse. (Flickr) (Video) (Wiki)

Centro Diocesano de Pastoral (Antiguo Seminario)
Garcia Vigil #702
Closed in March and April 2009 due to the latest tree crisis. The Centro Diocesano de Pastoral, aka Antiguo Seminario Pontifico de la Cruz de Oaxaca, is home to one of the oldest laurel trees in town (photo). Until the tree fell, the Centro housed the Centro de Orientación al Migrante (COMI) and the weekly Eco Market.

WATER TOUR

Santa Catalina Monastery
5 de Mayo #300
Today's Camino Real Hotel, this Colonial complex was the second nun monastery in the America, built in 1576. Take a peak at Los Lavaderos fountain, an ingenious hydraulic system used in the colonial era. The water flows at a steady rate from a large central fountain to a dozen stone basins used by nuns for laundry. The patio is crowned by a casuarina tree. FYI, before being converted into a hotel, the building served as a city hall, jail, school and a movie theater.

Xochimilco Arches
Garcia Vigil, between Cosijopi and Niños Heroes de Chapultepec
This picturesque aqueduct was built in the 1700s to bring water to the city from San Felipe del Agua. Also called the Arquitos. About 3 blocks (300 meters) remain.

Seven Regions Fountain
Calzada Porfirio Díaz
This fountain was built during the middle of the 20th century and renovated in 2006. It is decorated with bronze statues from the regions of the state.

www.flickr.com

LOOK AT THAT BUILDING

City Hall
The Palacio Municipal is located in the ex-convent of the Basilica near the Plaza de la Danza.

Casa de la Cultura Oaxaqueña
González Ortega #403 and Colon, south of the Zócalo
Blog

Macedonio Alcalá Theater
Independencia and Armente y López, two blocks east of the Zócalo
Constructed during the era of Porfirio Díaz, the renovated theater is the home to occasional concerts, opera and ballet.

National Pawnshop (Nacional Monte de Piedad)
Morelos and Alcalá
Superb example of neoclassical architecture. Built in the late 1700s, the building was home to an organization that would make loans in exchange for people's possessions.

Casa de Alejandro de Leon
Independencia #603
Casa de Alejandro de Leon

MONUMENTS

Mirador
Cerro Fortin
Also on the hill is the monument to Benito Juárez and a scenic look-out. Up the hill is the observatory and Planetario Nundehui which celebrated its 30th anniversary in February 2008. Want a 360 degree view? You can't do better!

LIBRARIES

Central Public Library (Biblioteca Pública Central)
Alcalá #200
The building dates to early 19th century.

Oaxaca Children's Library (Biblioteca Infantil)
José López Alavez #1342, Colonia Xochimilco, across from Casa Robertita
The Bibliotecas Infantil de Oaxaca is open Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm.

STADIUMS AND AUDITORIUMS

Educardo Vasconcelos Baseball Stadium
Niños Heroes de Chapultepec and Boulevard Eduardo Vasconcelos
Oaxaca baseball has a cherished stadium with a baseball field that is always green.

Auditorio
Cerro Fortin
Overlooking Oaxaca City is the ginormous white stadium, home of the July Guelaguetza.