The Spanish were notorious for building catholic chapels, cathedrals, and monasteries on top of indigenous sites. Today, of course, we think that's very sad, but back then it was part of the deal: winners tear down the losers' stuff.
Anyway, Oaxaca has a beautiful central cathedral and attached monastery. The cathedral is still being used as a catholic church, but the Franciscan monastery has been converted into an historical museum about the ancient peoples who lived in this region, the story of the conquest, and the modern lives of Mexicans in this area. The museum was fabulous and also the monastery was HUGE! I did some research and discovered that the Franciscans were given the task of converting and educating the natives and the Jesuits were in charge of educating the peninsulares (persons born in the Iberian Peninsula - Spain- but living in Mexico) and the criollos/creoles (persons of 100% European/Spanish heritage born in Mexico.
This was a fantastic meditation garden behind the monastery that is still kept up but visitors are not allowed to walk through.
1 comment:
i'd like you to pick up a crucifix for us while you are still in mexico. We are looking for a pretty traditional one, but with a little mexican flair.
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