Oaxaca City – church going

This is the former monastery now converted to the Cultural Museum of Oaxaca, full of interesting colonial and pre-Columbian art and artifacts. It is adjoined to the Santo Domingo Church (building commenced in 1572 by Dominican friars). Someone there informed me that the monastery was acquired by the military during revolutionary wars and also used as a jail.

Here is a photo of the layout of the church and adjoining monastery

Outside the monastery there is a ethno-botanical garden. Fascinating cactus and plants growing out of the hot sandy soil. Wait, it that the magical tequila plant I see?

My friend Karis and I visited Oaxaca City in 1999, the same year this museum restoration was completed. Looks moody in the photo? Well I think the photo captured my experience very well; as while I was in the Santo Domingo Church part, I started to feel terribly oppressed and anxious. By the time I told my friend that I was leaving the church and got outside I had broken out in hives on both forearms. Eeek!

Well the church is an amazing architectural beauty full of glided artwork, frescos and reliefs. Though there were the token tortured souls figures, the interior is magnificent. Definitely visit. Check out these flickr photos