Finally after the visit to the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, I get to visit the splendid Iglesia de Santo Domingo or the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
This Dominican church founded in 1575. The architecture of the church is amazing - it blends traditional Mesoamerican and Spanish styles with a Baroque facade. The church complex has two-meter-thick walls that make it virtually earthquake-proof.
Construction on the church complex began in 1575. Even before its completion, Dominican friars occupied the building in 1608 following the destruction of their former convent, San Pablo, in an earthquake. Construction of the main church and convent was completed around 1619, the Rosary chapel was built later, and completed in 1731.
The church's walls and ceiling are adorned with gilded ornamentation and bright sculptures, which give it a feeling of a palace rather than a church, while the rustic statues give the nave and chapels a distinctive Mexican tone...
The convent here was the principal monastery of Oaxaca province and was home to 150 Dominican friars. This was also a Dominican educational center...
The lavish ceiling...
The Rosary chapel or the Capilla de la Virgen del Rosario...
A cross against the stained glass window...
The lavishly decorated altar with a figure of the Virgin Mary - this is considered a fine example of local art...
Ceiling of the chapel...
Stepping out back into the bright, balmy Oaxacan sun...
A native species...
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