Oaxaca Cathedral
A historic green stone cathedral on Oaxaca's Zocalo, blending baroque architecture with active worship and pilgrimage.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Hear 'Imagine' played
Oaxaca Cathedral
Best Time
Hear 'Imagine' played
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic green stone cathedral on Oaxaca's Zocalo, blending baroque architecture with active worship and pilgrimage.
"Majestic catholic church. Just walk around and see the sculptures and small rooms."
📸 Photography Allowed
Capture the beauty inside and out, but always be mindful of ongoing services.
🙏 Respectful Attire
Dress modestly when visiting this active place of worship.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Baroque Facade
Intricate baroque sculptures adorn the facade, a testament to the cathedral's rich architectural history.
El Cristo del Rayo Chapel
A venerated image of 'El Cristo del Rayo' draws pilgrims and offers a serene space for devotion.
Bell Tower Chimes
Listen for the distinctive hourly chimes from the cathedral's bell towers, a familiar sound in Oaxaca.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Respectful Visits
Exterior vs. Interior
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Photography Allowed
Capture the beauty inside and out, but always be mindful of ongoing services.
🙏 Respectful Attire
Dress modestly when visiting this active place of worship.
🔔 Listen for the Clock
The cathedral clock chimes at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4, and 10 PM.
🚶♀️ Explore Side Chapels
Discover smaller rooms and chapels, including the one with 'El Cristo del Rayo'. +1
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Photography Allowed
Capture the beauty inside and out, but always be mindful of ongoing services.
🙏 Respectful Attire
Dress modestly when visiting this active place of worship.
🔔 Listen for the Clock
The cathedral clock chimes at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4, and 10 PM.
🚶♀️ Explore Side Chapels
Discover smaller rooms and chapels, including the one with 'El Cristo del Rayo'. +1
📍 Central Location
Easily accessible on the Zocalo square, making it a central point for exploration.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Oaxaca Cathedral is a majestic and historically significant landmark on the Zocalo, appreciated for its active spiritual role and unique green stone architecture. While some find the interior less grand than expected and note exterior graffiti, its role as a pilgrimage site and the presence of venerated images like 'El Cristo del Rayo' offer profound experiences. +2
"Beautiful and prayerful. I was disturbed by the amount of anti-Catholic and anti-government graffiti on the exterior walls. The choir area needs restoration. I was so happy to see many people praying in the Blessed Sacrament chapel and the chapel with the venerated image of "El Cristo del Rayo." The cathedral is an official pilgrimage spot for the 2025 Jubilee Year for pilgrims who cannot make it to Rome. Pax et bonum!"
kollodziej
"Majestic catholic church. Just walk around and see the sculptures and small rooms"
Pablo Stanley
"This cathedral is just massive and we did come here on the Sunday where there was a service still going on. We didn’t really go inside we just looked in quickly because of this but it was so busy with even people by the front door listening in which was lovely to see. It’s very sweet and a great place to be around. The church is so detailed and pretty. We love all the churches in Oaxaca City, all are similar though lovely.
“Jonique Life” If you find value in our reviews please consider following our social media outlets on Facebook and Instagram as we highlight magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list."
Jonique Life
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Oaxaca Cathedral is centrally located on the Zocalo square in Oaxaca City, making it easily accessible by foot if you're staying in the historic center. Taxis and local buses are also readily available to reach the Zocalo.
Parking in the Zocalo area can be challenging due to its popularity. It's often best to use public transport, taxis, or walk if you're in the vicinity.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The cathedral is generally open daily, but specific hours can vary. It's a functioning place of worship, so it's always best to be mindful of services.
No, entry to Oaxaca Cathedral is free. It's a functioning place of worship, and visitors are welcome to enter respectfully.
Yes, photography is generally allowed inside the cathedral, but it's important to be respectful of worshippers and avoid flash photography during services.
Yes, the cathedral is an official pilgrimage spot for the 2025 Jubilee Year, offering a spiritual destination for those unable to travel to Rome.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Inside, you'll find a standard basilica layout with a main nave and side aisles. Visitors often admire the sculptures, chapels, and the venerated image of 'El Cristo del Rayo'. +1
The cathedral features New Spanish Baroque architecture, with a distinctive exterior built from native green volcanic stone and baroque sculpted facades. 
The cathedral is built out of the native green volcanic stone, which gives it a unique and recognizable appearance.
Yes, the cathedral has a choir area, though some reviews mention it needs restoration.
'El Cristo del Rayo' is a venerated image housed in one of the cathedral's chapels, drawing many people to pray.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the cathedral is located on the Zocalo, which is surrounded by numerous restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors offering a wide variety of Oaxacan cuisine. +1
While the cathedral itself is a place of worship, there are nearby establishments, like Restaurante Catedral, that offer breakfast and fresh bread.
📸 📸 Photography
The baroque facade, the bell towers, and the interior chapels, especially the one with 'El Cristo del Rayo', offer great photographic opportunities. The Zocalo square also provides a good vantage point.
Drone usage is generally restricted in historic city centers and around religious sites. It's best to check local regulations before attempting any drone photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during less crowded times to allow children to move more freely. The hourly chimes from the bell towers can be a fun auditory experience for kids.
🙏 Spiritual Seekers & Pilgrims
The cathedral's history, built on ancient sacred ground, adds another layer to its spiritual resonance.
Attending a service can offer a profound glimpse into local faith practices. 📸 Photographers & Architecture Enthusiasts
Don't miss capturing the details of the bell towers and the sculpted elements of the main entrance. Inside, the basilica layout, sculptures, and the 'El Cristo del Rayo' chapel offer compelling interior shots.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Rich History Carved in Stone
This layering of history is a significant aspect of its identity, representing the confluence and sometimes conflict of cultures. The stones used in its construction were even sourced from the pyramid of Huitzilopochtli, symbolizing a profound shift in religious and cultural dominance. The cathedral's architecture is a blend of styles, with a prominent New Spanish Baroque influence evident in its sculpted facades and decorative elements.
+1 Its exterior, built from the distinctive native green volcanic stone, gives it a robust, almost fortress-like appearance, a characteristic noted by many visitors. Despite its historical grandeur, some parts of the cathedral, like the choir area, are noted as needing restoration.
Experiencing Oaxaca Cathedral: What Travelers Say
However, some visitors have expressed concern over graffiti on the exterior walls, noting it as 'anti-Catholic and anti-government.'
For those interested in unique experiences, the cathedral is known to play John Lennon's 'Imagine' on weekends at 9 AM, a detail that has charmed many visitors.
This blend of historical significance, active spiritual life, and occasional unexpected touches makes Oaxaca Cathedral a multifaceted destination. 
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