Arches of Xochimilco are a beautiful colonial haven located to the north of the Centro Histórico of the city.
This site is located just 9 blocks away from Oaxaca City's Main Square (Zócalo), over Garcia Vigil St. It is named after a group of arches that run for approximately 300 meters from a narrow cobbled lane that passes alongside them and goes to the old barrio of Xochimilco. Today Arches of Xochimilco is a famous tourist attraction in Mexico.
The stone arches were a part of the 18th-century aqueducts. They carried water into Oaxaca City until early 1941. Through many of the arches one can find twisting streets or secluded plazas. A statue of the angel Gabriel guards one of them.
The remnants of the aqueduct start in nearby San Felipe and then pass through Xochimilco. In the way they cross the Jalatlaco River at the place called "Pozas Arcas" or "La Cascada," Here the stonework illustrates the maximum technical engineering skills of the time. The vestiges of the aqueduct end in a corner of the atrium of the Church of Carmen Alto in a cistern that retains the terminal date of the work.
Arches of Xochimilco are quite a sight due to their walls which is cobbled in green-quarry stone. The remarkable arches are made of boiled clay bricks. Under the arches the zone's population has built their homes. The "Plazuela de la Cruz de Piedra" or Square of the Stone Cross is located in the street's main entrance. In the middle of the street, there is another small square which features a fountain and park benches that date back to colonial times.
Today, this street is named Rufino Tamayo St., in honor of the famous Oaxacan born painter, who was born just a few blocks away from this site. One can get the feeling of traveling back in time while walking through these streets.
travel.mapsofworld.com. provides detailed information on Arches of Xochimilco.
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