Tlacolula, the capital of Chocolate in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca

For Estela and me, our four-day stay at the 11the International Festival of Historical and Ancient Music came to an end on Sunday afternoon, when our rally through the Valle Central de Oaxaca came to its final stop, at a town famous for its popular rural market and for its delicious chocolate: Tlacolula.

 

The façade of the Church of Tlacolula

 

Bell towers flank Santa Maria de la Asunción

Tlacolula, on both sides of the façade. Towards

our right hand is the Cruz Atrial and behinds it,

the side Chapel of Nuestro Señor.

 

The atrium of the Church provides an area of peace

 and tranquility, away from the clamor and chaos

of the surrounding  market

 

 

The Capillas de Pozo or Well-Chapels in each

corner of the atrium add a touch of distinction

and décor to the sanctuary

The side chapel "De Nuestro Señor" is richly decorated

 

The Dominicans began construction of Santa Maria de la Asunción de Tlacolula Church towards the end of the 16th Century. The richly decorated side chapel or Capilla de Nuestro Señor was the starting point for the entire shrine, and follows an aesthetic approach similar to that of Santo Domingo de Guzman, in nearby Oaxaca, an approach which for some might seem asphyxiating or cluttering, but for all, it is quite overwhelming.

Side altar Retablo in the main church

Neoclassical-styled Altarpiece of

"El Señor de Tlacolula" at the 

Capilla de Nuestro Señor

 

The inside of the Church of Our

Lady of the Assumption, Tlacolula

has a mystical feeling, heightened by

gleaming bolts of light coming through

the windows, alongside shadows of

silver and gold.

The Octagonal Dome of the Chapel. 

Almost in all Churches, the

spandrels of the main dome are

decorated with effigies of the

four evangelists. Here, in the

Capilla de Nuestro Señor, each

spandrel is decorated with an

angel.

The Central theme of the Capilla de Nuestro

Señor is the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ

A beheaded martyr carries his

head, in the Capilla de Nuestro

Señor.

 

The restored organ peeps down at us from the

right corner of the Choir loft.

 

 

 

The beautiful restored organ receives a last-minute

review before the beginning of the early evening

concert.