Hidden Gems of Oaxaca Architectural Stroll
Footprints left by Oaxaca’s fascinating history
This event is led by the architect and restoration specialist Flor Cantón. We’ll be discovering the footprints left by Oaxaca’s fascinating history as we take a walk from the beautiful cobblestone streets of Jalatlaco to the city’s center. This tour delves into an exploration of often-overlooked or seemingly “hidden” gems throughout the two neighborhoods.
Do you know the history of how Jalatlaco evolved from one of Oaxaca’s least desirable neighborhoods to the favored zone it is today? Do you know which craft store in the center holds an emblematic painting done by the first Dominican priests? How about which common store close to the zocalo was home to the city’s first school for girls? We´ll delve into all of this and much more on this walk, and save the most renowned architectural marvels (Santo Domingo, etc) for another day.*
What to Expect
Flor Cantón is a talented architect and restoration specialist in Oaxaca City, and has a penchant for remembering fascinating recondite historical details. Her passion for history and architecture is omnipresent, and she´ll guide us in seeing the cultural patrimony that has been woven and constructed throughout Oaxaca with new eyes.
Our Route
We’ll start off at Tlayudona, where Flor will present us with some historical/architectural background pertinent to the tour. Then we’ll head toward the center, where we’ll traverse some of Oaxaca’s popular downtown streets and buildings, only we’ll be reading between the lines. We’ll identify some of the original houses from the colonization-era of Oaxaca, as well as the first schools, military barracks, and homes of the first religious congregations. The course of this tour is not predetermined and often depends on the composition and interest of our group. Sometimes we get sneak peeks into ancestral restoration techniques from one of Flor´s ongoing projects, an insider´s view to a local museum, or another surprise!
Experience Includes
Guided walk through Oaxaca´s City Center.
Map.
Water, if needed. (Bring your own bottle if you can, to reduce our footprint!)
Spanish to English translation.
Logistics and Cost
Time Involvement: 2.5-3 hours (This will depend on traffic, questions asked, group dynamics, and a number of unpredictable factors)
Transportation: Walking.Meet at Tlayudona
Costs and Minimums: 590 MXN
Children ages 10 and up are welcome to participate, although this tour is geared toward adults.
There is a maximum of 8 people for this experience.
Bring: Water, a hat/sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for walking.
*This is not your typical “Oaxaca Overview” tour, as we’ll be skipping over some of the most renowned architectural sites in the city, choosing to really “see” some of the many architectural details that Oaxaca´s fascinating history has left us hidden in plain sight. Would you like to arrange this experience as a women’s travel opportunity? Contact us to schedule your personalized women’s “Hidden Gems” walking tour for your small grou