Oaxaca Cathedral Church

Address: Zócalo, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico

The Oaxaca Cathedral, formally the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is the main Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico and the seat of the Archdiocese of Antequera. It is the principal church building on the north side of the city’s central plaza, the Zócalo.

The cathedral features a multi-nave interior with prominent altars and religious artworks; its façade and bell towers are major visual highlights when viewing from the plaza. The adjoining atrium and cloister form part of the historic ecclesiastical complex that visitors often include in central Oaxaca walking tours.

Construction and successive alterations took place over the colonial period under Spanish ecclesiastical authorities, replacing earlier church structures on the same site. The building and its precincts reflect a sequence of architectural styles and renovations associated with Oaxaca’s colonial history.

The cathedral stands in the historic centre of Oaxaca de Juárez, directly on the city’s main square and within the UNESCO-listed historic centre, a short walk from markets, museums and civic buildings.

• Ecclesiastical seat: Seats the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Antequera, Oaxaca, and remains the city’s principal parish church.
• Visiting tip: Best visited outside of major festival times to avoid crowds; the central plaza provides clear views of the main façade.

What to See#

• Plaza-facing location: Located on the north side of Oaxaca’s main plaza, the cathedral dominates the Plaza de la Constitución and faces the city government palace.
• Atrium and cloister: The cathedral complex includes an atrium and an adjoining former convent precinct that historically served administrative and religious functions.

The cathedral is located on the Zócalo in Oaxaca de Juárez’s historic center; it’s an easy walk from most central hotels. Oaxaca City is served by Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) with flights from Mexico City and other regional hubs; from the airport it’s a 15-25 minute drive to the city center.

• Visit at morning or late afternoon for the light that reveals the cathedral's elaborate façade and the detail in its altarpieces.
• Pair a visit with walking Oaxaca's Zócalo and the nearby Church of Santo Domingo to understand the city's layered colonial architecture.
• Watch for local religious festivals (Semana Santa, Day of the Dead) when the cathedral's role in civic ritual is most visible.