The Aztec settlement was called Huaxyacac which means Nose of the Squash and it’s where the name Oaxaca comes from. Today it’s known for it’s handicrafts, much of which is made by the indigenous population. There are 15 different groups each with it’s own language, customs, and style of dress. I’ve had a great three days here. I did day trips to sights outside the city for the first two days and then spent the third day seeing the city.
Streets of Oaxaca
Streets of Oaxaca
Streets of Oaxaca
The Templo de Santo Domingo was built between 1570-1608. Check out all that gold!
Benito Juarez, five-term president of Mexico, lived in this house as a youth and helped the owner with his bookbinding business.
The ancient Zapotec capital of Monte Alban. It was first occupied around 500 BC.It hit its peak from 350-700 AD with a population of about 25,000. Sometime between 700-950 the place was abandoned.
The building lining the right and left side are aligned to the moon and sun, but the building in the far middle is aligned to Venus. It would let the people know when to plant their crops.
We went to an artisan shop where they carve wood into animal shapes and then paint them with bright, vibrant colors.
Tree of El Tule is claimed to be the biggest tree in the world. It’s about 36 feet in diameter and almost 140 feet high. They say the tree is 1500 years old.
Teotitlan del Valle is a famous weaving village. During the Aztec times they would pay cloth tributes to the gods. The dyes are still all natural from indigo, cochineal, and moss.
The ancient ruins of Mitla date from the final two or three centuries before the Spanish conquest. At that time it was probably one of the most important of the Zapotec religious centers.
The designs on the buildings are amazing.
Oaxaca is known for its Mezcal, an agave-based sipping spirit, because the fields surrounding the city are famous for producing the best plant.
Heirve el Agua. The water is filled with minerals so water dribbling over the edges looks like a huge frozen waterfall.
Heirve el Agua literally means the water boils, but in reality the water is only room temperature at best.
2 Comments
I had a really wonderful time in Oaxaca. I was there for 2.5 weeks. I’m glad you had the opportunity to visit there.
I finally got a chance to check out your blog! All of your adventures sound amazing! Doron is very jealous of you going to Oaxaca, he collects the wooden animals and looks for them whenever we go to Mexico.