Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Oaxaca, Mexico: A Seat of Art, Religion, and History

Travelers who enjoy historic attractions will find delight in a wonderful vacation at Hacienda La Noria. This hotel in Oaxaca, Mexico welcomes guests in a place where they can easily explore every nook and cranny of an ancient locale. From its location along Avenida Eduardo Mata, visitors will have more than enough time appreciating the harmonious blend of art, religion, and heritage found in these notable attractions:

Catedral Metropolitana
Constituted in 1535, Catedral Metropolitana was built in honor of Our Lady of the Assumption. Today, it is regarded as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oaxaca. The majestic edifice features an impressive Neoclassical-style interior and a chapel that bears the revered crucifix of Our Lord of the Lightning Bolt (El SeƱor del Rayo). This artifact is the only piece to survive a fire that began when lightning struck the thatch roof of the original church's structure. There's also a wide collection of artworks that have been incorporated into the treasury of the cathedral.

Convento de Santo Domingo
The former monastery and church of Santo Domingo de Guzman is a historical complex that contains courtyards and cloisters. It also has rooms that now house the Cultural Center of Oaxaca (also known as Museo Regional de Oaxaca) and a garden, which was manicured as an Ethnobotanical Garden, showcasing a diverse collection of indigenous plants. Regarded as one of the city's most ornate landmarks, Convento de Santo Domingo's interior is lavishly endowed with more than 60,000 sheets of 23.5-karat gold leaf.

Museo Textil de Oaxaca
Established as an educational facility that preserves and promotes the textiles of Mexico, Museo Textil de Oaxaca presents the Mexican tradition of weaving. Here, you can enjoy a free guided tour, attend a conference, or even learn how to decorate a shirt with natural dyes. Apart from a number of exhibit rooms, this repository also has a textile storehouse, conservation shop, and library. The museum stands near the convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman.

Museo Rufino Tamayo
Found in a building constructed in 1979, Museo Rufino Tamayo is an art depot that features collections of pre-Columbian masterpieces by artist Rufino Tamayo. His exhibits include pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern artworks that show the affluent heritage of Mexico. Tamayo entrusted the museum to the local government and it now operates from Monday to Saturday (10 am to 2 pm, 4 pm to 7 pm) and every Sunday (10 am to 3 pm).

Casa de Benito Juarez
This small house that is only a 15-minute drive from Hacienda La Noria was the home of Benito Juarez, the 27th president of Mexico and Oaxaca's most famous son. He was known as the revolutionary champion of human rights and liberal political reform. The 18th-century building houses the Museo de Sitio Casa Juarez, a museum that highlights the life of the former leader. Casa de Benito Juarez is open every Sunday (10 am to 5 pm) and from Tuesday to Saturday (10 am to 7 pm).

Visitors will also be glad to know that plenty of buses and taxis roam the area near Oaxaca’s Hacienda La Noria, making travel very easy for them.

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