There is a museum adjacent to the church, the Centro Cultural Santo Domingo, a former convent with a collection of artefacts from the past six centuries, including some from the neighbouring Monte Alban archeological site.  The collection has some unique and beautifully detailed pieces of pottery. I most enjoyed the building itself, which has wonderful spaces connected by a series of loggias designed to frame views to the mountains beyond. Barrel vaulted hallways in deeply textured ivory plaster are oriented to maximise breezes and create cooling spaces to walk from gallery to gallery. The building overlooks a botanical garden with a collection of cacti and agave, suitable for the arid location. The blue agave is a special plant in Oaxaca and used to make the local mezcal. 

The Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is one of the main churches in the city and was quite extraordinary. I have seen many churches in my lifetime, but few have struck me such as this one for quality and cohesion of the ornamentation.

15/04/2024s, By nataliamiyar