Oaxaca City Travel Guide

During the XV century, before the Spanish Conquest, the Zapotecas and the Mixtecos were the two ruling civilizations in what today is the South of Mexico. When the Spaniards arrived, they were in the middle of a fight with the Mexicas over the control of the commerce with Central America. By the time the Mexica Empire was conquered, Hernan Cortes appointed Pedro de Alvarado the leader in the conquest of the South. Since neither the Zapotecas or the Mixtecos were as advanced as the Mexicas, the conquest was quick.
After that, the Dominican Friars started the evangelization and built many temples. But many indigenous died because of some epidemics, and the area had to be repopulated with African slaves.
In 1858, 37 years after the Independence, Benito Juarez from Guelatao Oaxaca became the first ever full-blooded indigenous President. He governed until his death in 1872.
Oaxaca was highly improved during the Porfiriato, the 35 years Porfirio Diaz held the Presidency. This was the time when the street lighting, the railroad and the telegraph arrived to the city, connecting it with the capital.
In the decade or 1930 the ruins of Monte Alban were discovered and in the decade on 1950 a great deal of infrastructure was developed in the state and in the decade on 1970 the cultural treasure that is Oaxaca was promoted. 

Where to Go in Oaxaca City