(NOTE: This is a repost containing the second half of a blog from three days ago. I am having problems with my subscription service, and I hope this solves the issue.)
This photo post covers explorations of two long walking tours througout the central areas of the city of Oaxaca.
As usual, the photos in this post are thumbnail images. Please click on any photo to enlarge it. The thumbnails leave much to be desired as far as colors and resolution – plus the thumnails clip all of the edges. I use thumbnails for the post itself, because it gives people an opportunity to get a summary glimpse without downloading huge amounts of data for the high-res photos.
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE TO HIGH RESOLUTION
Walking Tour Day One
The tourist map of Oaxaca details six or seven separate walking tours. I followed them all, walking approximately 70 city blocks on each of two separate days. My first day of intense walking was Tuesday, October 2, 2012, sandwiched in between my two all day tours to Monte Alban and Hierve El Agua (and other sites).
I took my camera with me and took a lot of photos.
I started walking from the central plaza. This little concert was going on as I began my long, tiring foot journey.
As I start walking north, I glance back at the Oaxaca Cathedral on the left, and the zocalo (town square) is just past the cathedral.
Passing by a church a few blocks from the center of town.
A typical water fountain.
This is the sign for the “Temple of San Matias Jalatlaco”. The english translation is in the next photo.
This temple is dated approximately at the end of the 17th century. It was slightly reconstructed in the early 1700s and was finished in 1713. The temple is famous for its facades – the geometric shapes etc. You can enlarge the photo and read the plaque if you want more details.
The exterior of this temple.
And the front. Note all the very interesting geometrical patterns and shapes.
It is quite unique from most churches I have seen.
Very interesting and unusual patterns for a church.
Inside – simple but beautiful.
Another large church that I walked behind. I can’t remember which one this is.
In the early 1500s, the first Spanish settlers needed a reliable source of water, and built a crude canal from a spring in the mountains to the north. In the mid 1700s, the city replaced the canal with a more permanent stone aqueduct. Long strips of the aqueduct remain intact, but are no longer used to carry water.
This section of the aqueduct is typically called “Los Arquitos” (little arches). In most of the arches are doorways that lead to people’s homes and/or businesses on the other side.
Inside a courtyard on the other side of the aqueduct, looking back at the road through the arches.
Full details can be read by enlarging this photo. This describes the “Temple of the Carmen Alto.” The original temple was built here in the late 17th century. One of its walls was used in the reconstruction that took place in the beginning of the 18th century (early 1700s).
This is the temple itself.
The stone at the entrance door is very old and worn.
Inside the church.
This little plaque in the church is dated “1599”.
Closer to the front, still on the inside.
Inside one of the little side passages.
By far my favorite cathedral in all of Oaxaca is the “Cathedral Santo Domingo.” This is an exterior image. The entrance to the cathedral is through the two tiny doors in that center, brown arch. On the far left in another dark arch with a white sign is the entrance to an incredible museum containing artifacts from Monte Alban. Needless to say, I spent most of my day here. I am including about 45 photos here, both of the cathedral and the adjacent museum.
Close-up of the front.
Some of the ornamentation by the entrance.
Inside this gorgeous cathedral.
On the ceiling.
After leaving the cathedral, I walked next door the the “Cultural Center Santo Domingo” and purchased an admission for the self-guided tour. I also rented an audio voice to tell me all about everything. This sign summarizes the history of this site. In 1575, the Dominicans began building a convent here, finishing that in 1608. In 1731 they began building the Chapel Rosario. In 1812, the building was occupied by military forces …
There is a large courtyard in this part of the complex.
And another large courtyard elsewhere in the complex.
Ceiling in the main hall.
Beautiful decor.
This is the old convent library, containing VERY old books.
The books are carefully guarded.
It is hard to see in this photo, but I think this book is dated “1661”.
This is a scale model of the Santo Domingo complex. The cathedral is on the right. The first courtyard we saw is directly adjacent to the cathedral, and the other is one of the large ones in the bottom front. The huge museum is housed in the buildings at the bottom, left, front.
I think this was a kitchen.
Some old furniture on display.
Behind the cathedral is a HUGE botanical garden containing plant life from all over this region. I didn’t have a lot of time, it was hot, and the garden cost extra money … so I didn’t go out here.
Inside the museum. I believe that most all of these are original artifacts taken from the excavations at Monte Alban — the nearby Zapotec ruins that I visited yesterday, and documented in the previous photo post.
I watched videos documenting most of these artifacts and where/how they were found etc, but I cannot remember many details.
Sorry … it was dark in here, and we were not supposed to use a flash.
For those familiar with sacred geometry, take a look at the engravings found in this bowl taken from the Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban.
Tired, hungry, and exhausted, I finally left the museum in the late afternoon, continuing my walking tour.
I smiled as I studied this complex sign on a nearby street corner, attempting to give directions to every important place in the area.
My next stop was the former convent of “Santa Catalina de Siena”.
It was locked tight, keeping me from going inside.
After leaving this building, I began walking back toward the city center, taking a different walking tour route that led me to one last stop for the day.
This church is named after St. Francis of Assisi.
Inside the St. Francis church.
And another one inside.
A sign outside the entrance with photos and descriptions of the story of Saint Francis. It looks like they used images from the movie “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” I recommend this movie for anyone wanting to know more about his story.
This concludes the Day-one walking tour. I have walked over 70 city blocks and stood on my feet in the museum for several hours. I can barely stand up. It is a good thing that I am now only a few blocks from my hotel. Tomorrow is the day I take the tour to Hierve El Agua.
Walking Tour Day Two
After my first day of intense walking, I went on another all-day tour to Hierve El Agua, Tule, Mitla, etc. I was still so tired from the day before that I had to go quite slowly as I toured various sites.
Therefore, on Thursday, I took a major break and spend the day hanging out in the central plaza. It was on Friday, October 5, 2012 that I found the energy to embark on a second all-day walking tour. I moved much more slowly in this tour.
As before, I took my camera with me and took a lot of photos.
These photos are not as well organized as the others. This is the inside of a simple church that I visited.
Some of the cute weaving crafts for sale here and there.
A visit to the two huge markets. This is a meat counter. Notice the pig legs/hooves on the counter.
More meat for sale.
And more different types of meat.
Parts of the market are devoted to the sale of clothing and related items.
Another old church.
A close-up of this church facade. There are literally hundreds of old churches in this town.
A brief look inside.
Can’t quite remember what this is … I think it is an old government building. It is located by the town square, and has a museum inside. Following are photos from the museum and murals inside.
The murals are detailed and elaborate.
Yet another church near the town square, as seen from the museum building.
Inside that church.
The large white arch in the left center is part of the root on a large outdoor stage / entertainment area. I cannot remember what it was called. It is a visible landmark almost everywhere you go in this town.
The “Minor Basilica of Our Mother of Solitude”. I spent a while exploring this large basilica.
The exterior of the basilica.
Inside the basilica.
Since I have an affinity with Socrates, I was excited that the tourist map talked about “Jardin Socrates” or (Socrates Garden). When I got here, it was just a building occupied by a small restaurant.
Next up is the Temple and Convent of San Jose.
Inside the temple/convent.
A typical street in this part of town (I am west and a little north of the town square).
Another old church.
It is the temple of “Carmen de Abajo”
Inside the temple.
And another church
This is the exterior of another tiny little church just across the street.
And the quite humble interior.
Next up, I visited a small museum showing photos of indigenous clothing. These are some children in traditional clothing.
A man wearing traditional clothing.
And a family in their traditional clothes.
This ends my walking tour of Friday, October 5, 2012. I spent Saturday and Sunday resting and hanging out in the central plaza. On Sunday afternoon, my friend Connie (who now lives in Oaxaca) flew back from journey. I met up with her and we hung out together Sunday evening, much of Monday, and much of Tuesday. Late Tuesday evening I took an all-night buss back to Tapachula. On Wednesday, after arriving in Tapachula with almost no sleep, I immediately continued my journey on public transportation, taking a combie to the Guatemala border, a bicycle taxi to a bus stop, and three different chicken buses to get me back to Lake Atitlan. I was very happy to sleep in my own bed on Wednesday night.
Copyright © 2013 by Brenda Larsen, All Rights Reserved