Zócalo - Free Audio Guide

The Zócalo de Oaxaca, formally the Plaza de la Constitución, is the historic heart of Oaxaca de Juárez. Laid out in 1529 by Juan Peláez de Berrio, the square has basalt paving, fountains and planted areas and has long served as a focal point of civic and cultural life since the colonial period. As a central element of the Centro Histórico, it forms part of the ensemble that, together with the archaeological site of Monte Albán, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. The Zócalo remains an emblem of Oaxacan identity, linked to public gatherings, traditional music, craft markets and local culinary practices. Surrounding architecture and civic buildings reflect the city’s layered history and urban planning.