Historic places in Oaxaca

Historic places in Oaxaca

1. See

   Casa de Benito Juarez

   Historic childhood home of former Mexican President Benito Juarez. It's an unassuming home fitting for a man of humble roots.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00·M$43 (adults), free (disabled/children under 13), free admission on Sundays for residents; M$45 video permit

2. See

   La Casa de la Ciudad

   City Museum

   Features exhibitions devoted to architectural styles, historical photographs and urban art. Two aerial photographs taken of Oaxaca in 1990 and 2006 are embedded in an underlit floor so that visitors can walk over them and explore the changes in the city that occurred during those 16 years.

   Daily 09:00-20:00·Free

3. Do

   Mitla

   An important Zapotec city and religious center, built between 1 AD and 200 AD, famous for its Mesoamerican buildings intermingled with the modern town. The Zapotecs called it Lyobaam, "Place of the Dead". Inside Tomb 1 there is the famous "Column of Life" that you can embrace to find out how many years you have left to live. Spanish is helpful here as the ruins officials can explain how to use the column correctly.

4. See

   Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo

   Astoundingly large collection of pre-Hispanic sculptures and other works collected by Rufino Tamayo. As an artist involved in both early-1900s modernist movements and the celebration of Mexican heritage, Tamayo had an eye for outstanding depictions of faces and human form, and a desire to keep historic art from leaving the country. The pieces are exhibited as works of art rather than as anthropological artifacts.

   Wed-Mon 10:00-17:00, closed Tue·By donation

5. See

   Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca

   Centro Cultural Santo Domingo, Ex Convento de Santo Domingo

   This is a museum of regional history and culture, with exhibits on Zapotec, Mixtec, and Olmec civilizations, as well as colonial and revolutionary era history. The highlight is the collection of treasure excavated from Tomb 7 at Monte Albán by archaeologist Alfonso Caso in the 1930s. The Museo occupies most rooms of the Convent of Santo Domingo, so it is huge and impressive: you will need a few hours to visit it! It also offers nice views over the plaza and the botanical garden.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·M$210 (M$105 Mexican residents, Free for Mexicans under 13 and seniors); M$63 video and tripod permit

6. See

   Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños

   Museum of Oaxacan Painters

   This late 17th-century building houses a collection of historic and modern Oaxacan art on two floors.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00·M$10, free on Sundays

7. See

   Museo del Palacio

   Palacio de Gobierno / Governor's Palace

   This 19th-century building houses a mural by Mexican painter Arturo Garcia Bustos, and hosts rotating exhibits about the history of the city.

   Tue-Sat 10:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-18:00·Free

8. Do

   Yagul

   Although frequently overlooked in favor of more extensive ruins at Mitla and Monte Albán, the ruins at Yagul are more pastoral (and therefore more similar to its original setting) and much less overrun with tourists.

   M$90

9. Do Not mapped

   Día de Muertos

   Day of the Dead

   A Mexican holiday that traditionally takes place in candle-lit city cemeteries, but today takes place in front of almost every church in the historic city center. Involves a lot of partying, festivities, facial make-up, costumes, lights, and possibly a few fireworks. An incredible experience to behold.

   31 October - 2 November

10. Do Not mapped

    MOC Adventures

    Provides small week-long tours during Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca. The tours introduce people to the history of Oaxaca and the Day of the Dead by engaging them in its unique celebrations such as visiting the Panteóns (cemeteries), comprasas and other important events that take place during Dia de los Muertos.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oaxaca (CC BY-SA 4.0).