The colonial era of Mexico, when it was known as La Nueva España or New Spain, stretched on for 300 years, from the 16th century into the 19th. During this period, the Spanish destroyed many of the original sacred temples and religious sites, replacing them with buildings that reflected the style of architecture found in Spain.
Examples of its colonial past can be found all over the city of Oaxaca. Many of these buildings have been restored and are still in use today, the churches providing daily services, and monasteries and mansions repurposed as museums, galleries, shops, and hotels. Sadly, other colonial buildings are crumbling, victims of time and neglect (not to mention several substantial earthquakes that have rattled the city over the years).
Grand buildings often have grand entrances. This week’s Thursday Doors post features some of the doors leading to Oaxaca’s colonial history.
Behind the doors of Iglesia de Santo Domingo, a wedding ceremony is just about to conclude. The performers are waiting for the doors to open so the celebration – often lasting well into the night, and even into the next day – can begin.
The Basilica de la Senora de Soledad – built between 1682 and 1690 – featured grand doors leading to other grand doors.
A side door of the Templo de San Matías Jalatlaco. I was tempted to remove the little white sign before I took this picture, but was afraid I’d be struck by lightning.
This church was rather simple compared to many of the huge stone churches in Oaxaca, but that’s probably why I liked it so much… that and its lovely iron gate.
The magnificent Teatro Macadonio Alcala hosts performances ranginging from operas to plays and classical concerts. My husband and I attended a performance of Madama Butterfly, which is set in Japan, live-streamed from the Met in New York, sung in Italian with Spanish subtitles. What a world.
Thursday Doors is a link-up of fellow door aficionados generously hosted by Norm Frampton. Head over to his blog to view all the amazing doors he and others have posted.
Retirementally Challenged 
Love, love, love these photos — especially the opening one.
So cool that you can see the building through the red heart!
Wishing you and Paul a safe and happy holiday season.
Now back to my blogging break! 😀
I’m honored that you took a break from your break to read my post and leave a comment. Best holiday wishes to you and Richard also.
Wow! Your photographs are spectacular, Janis. They should hire you to promote their tourism with your gorgeous photos. Have a safe holiday!
Thank you, Jill. That would be a job the I’d come out of retirement for! Happy holidays to you too!
Amazing architecture!
I can’t imagine the engineering and physical work it took to construct those massive stone buildings. Thank goodness they (mostly) have stood the test of time.
I read Pillars of the Earth and was astounded at the engineering that the old stone buildings had considering the time frame. They didn’t have mechanical tools to help them design.
Oh, that book sounds like something my engineer husband would enjoy. Thanks for the tip!
I had to read this twice: “set in Japan, live-streamed from the Met in New York, sung in Italian with Spanish subtitles.”
What a world indeed – and such ornate doors here
Since I don’t speak Italian and my Spanish is pretty basic, I was glad that I read the synopsis before the opera 🙂. It was an amazing experience, though.
I bet it was moving to feel the live music and the whole setting was just rich
🙂
Wonderful doors! Love the big red heart too.
They really know how to celebrate there! The red heart was the first thing the wedding party saw when they exited the church.
Another beautiful collection, Janis. If I wouldn’t know better I’d think you returned to Oaxaca just to take photographs of doors. 🙂 I like the “simple” church the most as well. And, that red heart in the first picture almost looks like it’s painted on the church and the guy in front is leaning on a walking stick instead of holding the heart…
Thank you, Liesbet! You are right about the doors being a big attraction when we travel to Mexico. I went back to look at the first picture again and it does kind of look like that. I hope you, Mark, and Maya are enjoying the holiday season wherever you are.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! The older architecture has such deep character that most modern buildings will never attain. And you have a good eye for capturing it, Janis.
That is so true. I like some modern architecture, but often the stark, clean lines are just boring. Most grand buildings built long ago would be too expensive to construct today. Thank goodness many of them are being restored and preserved. As Joni Mitchell wrote, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”
The doors from the past are astounding. Some of them are pieces of art.
Doors that are not mass-produced but made for a specific building/opening are so much more intriguing. Nothing like you’d find at your local big box store… thank goodness!
Some stunning shots indeed. Thanks for sharing these Janis. And thanks for being a part of our quirky little club of door nerds 😉
Happy Holidays and all the best for 2020!
I love this nerdy bunch of door nuts! Thanks to you for gathering us all together so we can share our obsession. Best wishes to you for a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to sharing more doors in 2020!
Beautiful doors Janis, I feel the same way about ‘things that don’t belong’ in my photographs. There are a lot of easy to use editing programs out there to correct that in the future. Regardless, the doors are still beautiful. I’m woefully ignorant regarding this region of Mexico and only know what you teach, so please continue to educate. The vibrancy of the colors alone make me want to visit.
Hi Suzanne! I’ve used editing programs to remove objects but I don’t always want to put in the time for these types of posts… maybe I should (can you say lazy? 🙂 ). I always learn a bit more about Mexico’s history every time we visit, and I know I have just scratched the surface. It has a rich and fascinating culture and I’m glad that we live close enough that getting there – even to the central area – is pretty easy.
Those are just beautiful!! What fabulous architecture…makes me want to visit Oaxaca sometime (soon.)
Thank you, Ann. I hope you are able to travel there… and if you do, I have a lot of info 🙂
I’m beginning to think every door in Oaxaca must be truly spectacular! Another lovely collection.
Haha! Not all, but certainly a good many 🙂
These are magnificent doors!
Thanks, Dan.
Janis – the doors are exquisite, as is the architecture. I am sure you are never at a loss for what to photograph when you are visiting Oaxaca.
My camera stays pretty busy while I’m there. Even when I visit places that I’ve been to before, I can usually find something to photograph.
I believe it – I think you have a “fresh eye” approach each time you see the colorful images and architecture.
I like best that door with white sign that you wanted to remove 😉 still very beautiful…
Teresa
I loved the smaller doors within the larger doors on that one.
This is a beautiful selection of doors, Janis! I love the gate, the red heart, and magnificent carved doors.
I wish I could have gotten a better picture of those carved doors but I wasn’t able to get in a better position (without walking into traffic, that is). They were works of art.
I’m glad you’re showing more from your trip. How fun that you caught the festivities with a wedding. My niece married a Mexican-American, and their wedding was an amazing celebration with the Jewish part definitely taking a back seat to the Mexican traditions! I agree that the older architecture is something to behold. And, yes, they probably wouldn’t build anything like them today. – Marty
The Mexican wedding celebrations that we saw were fabulous! I loved how they spilled onto the streets and we onlookers could enjoy the festivities (if not the free-flowing mezcal that was being dispensed to the actual guests). I’ve been to a few crazy Jewish weddings too… lots of dancing and the bride and groom being held aloft on chairs.
The blending of architecture with local styles can create wonderful new varieties! And trying to replicate what worked in one world in another sometime creates funny or out-of-place results (even Frank Lloyd Wright noticed that!).
I really like how your photos captured layers of different styles: the entrance in one style, the sides in another, in your first photo I count 3!
And good thinking not risking being struck by lightening 😉
I thought it was best not to remove the sign… who knows who put it up? Your comment about blending architectural styles reminds me of the blending of religious beliefs. So many of the traditions and rituals that the indigenous people had before the Spaniards arrived were incorporated into the Catholic rituals still being observed today.
That sounds fascinating! What indigenous traditions and rituals were incorporated?
Oh, wow, indigenous/catholic religious ritual syncretism could be the whole topic of another post… perhaps I’ll write about that in the near future. Thanks for the idea!
Can’t wait!
Oh, those colonial Mexican cities! The photos are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I really love the history in the colonial cities… so much more interesting than the beach resorts (not that a little R&R on a beach is a bad thing 🙂 ).
Hi Janis! I love looking at all your photos (and doors) from Oaxaca because they bring back so many good memories for us when we visited a few years ago. It really is a wonderful city and you’re making me want to return!!! ~Kathy
I think if we go again, we’ll go in December. I’d love to see the Christmas festivities… and of course the Fiesta de los Rabanos can not be missed 🙂 !
Your grand doors are a fitting subject this time of year, Janis. I wish you and your husband great health and happiness, as the door opens on a new year and decade.
Thank you, Joe! I hadn’t thought about the whole opening doors analogy at this time of year, but you are right! Best wishes to you and your family for health, love, and lots of doors opening to new adventures!
Love this collection of doors, Janis!
I’ve been a bit MIA with cruising and the holidays…hope this finds you well and you enjoyed a happy Christmas.
Now on to the New Year!!!
I hope you have been enjoying your time away! I look forward to hearing more about your cruise. Happy New Year!
Gorgeous doors beckoning us to go in – with a red heart to match. Happy New Year! ❤
I love that red heart. What a nice symbol for the bride and groom to first see as they walked out of the church.
What beautiful doors, Janis. It’s amazing to think how much work goes into just the doorway of a building. Thanks for sharing them with us. Happy 2020!
I guess it’s understandable why a vast majority of today’s doors are mass-produced. Happy 2020 to you also, Christie!
I really love the Thursday doors idea. I always thought I was the only one with this obsession, nice to know their are others out there. You have some great examples here.
There are quite a few of us door nuts who hang out together on Thursdays. You should join in the link-up!
Janis, your photos are a visual treat. That colonial architecture of Mexico is truly amazing.
Jude
Hi Jude! Thank you, the architecture is quite beautiful and the history of Mexico is fascinating too.
Interesting and beautiful photos, Janis! You share a part of the world I will likely never see. The performance of Madama Butterly sounds surreal, a once in a lifetime concert. Thank you for sharing this part of the world through your eyes and your lens.
Never say never, Erica! Just be sure to stop by our city before you drop down to Mexico… we’d love to see you!
Thank you Janis! We would love to see you and Paul again, too!
Lovely pictures, almost like being in Seville or Toledo!
Thank you! I’ve never been to Seville or Toledo… but it sounds like I need to go!
And I need to visit Mexico!
Yes, especially the colonial towns.
These doors are definitely grand. Don’t you love Thursday doors? Everyone comes up with fantastic examples of the humble door. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a big Thursday Doors fan! I’m always on the lookout whether we are traveling or I’m home.