Zócalo, Oaxaca

Just one block south of Zócalo a daily market (Mercado Benito Juárez) is held in the old market building. Like most of Oaxaca's markets it is very colourful. On Saturdays, when the Indios flock here from all directions, it becomes even livelier; goods on sale include woven articles, earthenware, leatherware, knives and machetes.Another colourful market is the Mercade de Abastos (mainly foodstuffs) held daily on a site south-west of the town centre; it, too, is especially lively on Saturdays when the Indios come in from the surrounding villages. A third market worth a visit if the Mercado de Artensanias south of Benito Juárez market, which specialises in textile goods.

The cathedral, work on which began in the mid-16th c. and lasted for about 200 years, is situated on the north-west side of the zócalo (Plaza de Armas). Its sturdy building style, with two low towers designed to withstand earthquakes, is striking. The original clock, whose mechanism is completely carved from wood, was presented to the church by the King of Spain. The Baroque façade has finely-worked figures and bas-reliefs on its columns. The interior of the church is Neo-Classical; especially noteworthy are the eight engraved glass windows and the various chapels.

The Museo Regional de Oaxaca (state-owned regional museum) is housed in the neighbouring convent to Iglesia de Santa Domingo. Archaeological and ethnological collections of Indian culture, as well as ecclesiastical and secular exhibits from the colonial period, are displayed on two floors.The ethnological collection includes costumes, masks, jewellery, ceremonial and household implements belonging to the different Indian tribes from the region, together with archaeological finds from the surrounding Zapotec and Mixtec ruins; photographs, charts and maps complete the exhibition.The highlight of the archaeological exhibition is the Mixtec treasure trove of gold, jade, turquoise and other semi-precious stones found in 1932 in Tomb 7 at Monte Albán. Elaborate bracelets, necklaces, earrings, breast plates, masks, etc. were produced from these materials. Historical documents and ecclesiastical and secular items from the church and the convent, including an old Spanish kitchen, are to be found here.

Contemporary works of art are displayed in the Municipal Museum (Museo de la Ciudad, Alcalá 202), south of Santo Domingo. It is housed in the beautifully restored 16th c. Casa de Cortés, said to have been built on the orders of Hernán Cortés in 1529 after he had been granted the title of Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca. He died without ever seeing it.

Five blocks to the west of Zocalo stands the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (La Soledad Church) which is dedicated to the patron saint of the town. The church was constructed between 1682 and 1690 and has an atrium of limestone blocks surrounded by a covered walkway at a higher level. The figure of the Virgen de la Soledad wears a black robe of velvet embroidered with gold and other precious stones, and a particularly large pearl on her forehead. Various miracles are attributed to this "royal" saint who is also the patron saint of seafarers.Other notable churches include San Felipe Neri (elaborate altars), San Juan de Dios (Indian depiction of the conquest) and San Agustin (façade reliefs of St Augustine).

The Museo de Arte Prehispánico Rufino Tamayo (Rufino Tamayo Museum), a gift to the state from the famous Mexican artist Tamayo, is housed in a palace on the Av. Morelos (no 503), four blocks away from Zócalo. Archaeological objects from the most important Indian cultures are clearly displayed in five rooms.

The house at García Vigil 609, where Benito Juárez lived as a servant from 1818 until 1828, has been turned into a museum (Museo Casa Juárez) exhibiting memorabilia concerning the president who was born in 1806 in Guelatao near Oaxaca.

A national monument to Benito Juárez, another to the Mexican national flag and an open air theatre are situated on the Cerro de Fortín de Zaragoza, a hill rising about 100 m (328 ft) above the town.

Every year the country's largest and most colourful fiesta, the "Guelaguetza" (Zapotec: "performance"), takes place here on the two Mondays following July 16th. It includes a mixture of pre-Spanish and Christian dances belonging to the Indian tribes from the state of Oaxaca.

This government building has been restored as recently as 1931. The original building was constructed in 1576, however earthquakes have caused the need for multiple restorations throughout the years.

Much of the original Jesuit structure from 1579 is no longer contained within the present building. Columns from the original church exist throughout the block. The last restoration of this church took place in 1867.

This Baroque church dates from 1733.