Learning Spanish Through Oaxaca’s Museums: A Cultural Guide for Spanish Students

3 days ago
6 min read

By Paty Castellanos, Olga Gabriela Villa, Spanish Professors at Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, and Carlos Topete, Director of Instituto Cultural Oaxaca

For students learning Spanish in Oaxaca, museums are much more than places to observe art or history. They are spaces where language, culture, architecture, and daily life come together. Walking through the city’s museums allows students not only to discover Oaxaca’s rich cultural heritage but also to deepen their understanding of the Spanish language through meaningful cultural experiences.

Many students are surprised to discover how accessible these museums are. Most of the museums discussed in this article are within a few minutes' walk of Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, making it easy for students to explore them between classes or as part of their learning assignments. Over the years, museum visits have become a valuable resource for language learning. Students often visit a museum independently and later return to class ready to describe what they found most interesting, what surprised them, or which exhibit impressed them the most—all in Spanish. In many classes at ICO, these museum visits serve as the starting point for conversation activities in which students describe objects, architecture, or exhibitions in Spanish. Spanish professor Paty Castellanos, who has taught at Instituto Cultural Oaxaca for more than twenty years, often incorporates museums into her cultural workshops and conversation courses. For Paty, museums are not only places to observe objects; they are opportunities for students to connect language with the cultural context that shapes it. As Paty explains, each museum offers more than its exhibitions: the buildings themselves often tell an important story about Oaxaca’s past.

“All museums have their own relevance, not only because of what they exhibit but also because we can discuss their history, architecture, and the role they played in different periods of history.”

In one of Paty’s courses, students explore Oaxaca’s museums week by week, discovering how art, history, and architecture reflect the region's many cultural layers.

Week 1: Understanding Oaxaca’s Cultural Foundations

The journey often begins with three museums that help students understand Oaxaca’s cultural roots.

Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, located inside the former monastery of Santo Domingo, together with the Ethnobotanical Garden next door, is often considered the cultural heart of Oaxaca and one of the first places our teachers recommend students visit when they arrive in the city. offers an extraordinary introduction to the region’s history. As students walk through the former monastic rooms, they can imagine how the building has changed over time—from a religious cloister to military quarters and eventually to one of Oaxaca’s most important museums.

The nearby Museo Textil de Oaxaca introduces visitors to one of the region's most important cultural expressions: textiles. Through the colors, fibers, and techniques displayed in the museum, students begin to understand the diversity of Indigenous communities throughout Oaxaca.

Students also explore IAGO (Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca), a space dedicated to graphic arts that reflects Oaxaca’s vibrant artistic traditions.

Together, these museums lay the foundation for understanding the deep connections among art, community, and history in Oaxaca.

Week 2: Art and Artistic Expression

During the second week, students encounter museums that highlight artistic creativity across different periods.

At the Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo, students can observe a remarkable collection of prehispanic artifacts gathered by the Oaxacan artist Rufino Tamayo. The museum offers an opportunity to reflect on how ancient cultures continue to influence contemporary Mexican identity.

Another unique stop is the Casa Museo El Tallador de Sueños, located outside the historic center. This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Manuel Jiménez, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of alebrije carving in Oaxaca. Visitors can learn about the history of alebrijes and discover two surprising facts: the concept of “alebrije” did not originate in Oaxaca, and it has no prehispanic roots. However, over time, the craft has become deeply associated with Oaxacan artistic identity.

Students also explore MACO (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca), where contemporary artists present modern interpretations of culture, identity, and social change.

Week 3: History Through Unexpected Collections

The third week reveals how history can appear in unexpected forms.

At Museo Casa Juárez, students learn about the early life of Benito Juárez, one of Mexico’s most important historical figures. The museum provides insight into the social and political context of the 19th century.

Nearby, the Museo de Filatelia (MUFI) surprises many visitors. Although dedicated to postage stamps, the museum presents fascinating stories about communication, travel, and global connections.

Spanish teacher Olga Gabriela Villa, who has taught at Instituto Cultural Oaxaca for more than 15 years and has led this tertulia course several times, often recommends the Museo de Filatelia (MUFI) to students. It is one of her favorite museums in the city, not only because of its fascinating exhibitions but also because of the atmosphere of the space itself. The museum’s courtyard, with tables where visitors can read, work, or simply spend the afternoon, has become a favorite spot for many students. Olga also mentions that students are often surprised by the museum’s collection of letters written by Frida Kahlo. In the online tertulia sessions, students either discuss their own museum experiences—if they have visited Oaxaca—or the materials they receive before class, which include the history of the building, the museum's characteristics, and examples of pieces from the collection. Students are often asked to describe photographs of specific objects and share their opinions in Spanish, which leads to lively conversations.

Another hidden treasure is the Museo del Templo de la Soledad, a small museum that many visitors overlook, even though it is located within one of Oaxaca’s most important religious sites. Here, students can observe devotional objects offered to the Virgin of Soledad, the patron saint of Oaxaca. The museum also contains a remarkable collection of exvotos, small paintings created as expressions of gratitude for miracles or blessings received.

Many of these exvotos are not only historical artifacts but also beautiful works of art.

Week 4: Visual Culture and Living Traditions

In the final week, students continue their exploration of visual culture.

At the Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños, visitors encounter works by artists from the region whose paintings reflect Oaxaca’s landscapes, traditions, and contemporary life.

Centro Fotografico Manuel Alvarez Bravo a hidden gem among Oaxaca's Museums

The Centro Fotográfico Manuel Álvarez Bravo offers a different perspective, presenting photography that captures both everyday moments and artistic interpretations of Mexican society.

Students also visit Museo Nocheztlicalli, another lesser-known museum located outside the historic center. This museum focuses on the cultivation and processing of cochineal, the insect used to produce one of the most valuable natural dyes in history. Visitors can see the entire process—from the cultivation of the insect to the creation of the deep red pigment—and even experiment with the dye to create designs on fabric.

Hidden Spaces That Surprise Students

While famous museums attract many visitors, Paty and other teachers often highlight smaller museums that students might otherwise miss.

For example, many students are fascinated by Museo Nocheztlicalli because it reveals the science and cultural importance behind a color that shaped global trade.

Others are surprised by Casa Museo El Tallador de Sueños, where the story of alebrijes challenges common assumptions about their origins.

And inside the Templo de la Soledad, visitors discover a small museum filled with devotional offerings and artwork that reflect centuries of faith and gratitude.

These hidden spaces often become some of the most memorable experiences for students.

Seeing the City Through New Eyes

Students often discover that museums help them see Oaxaca differently. Sometimes what captures their attention is the art itself; other times it is the architecture, the historical stories, or the unexpected connections between past and present.

One space that frequently sparks curiosity is Casa de la Ciudad, where visitors can walk across the famous fotopiso, a photographic floor that reveals how Oaxaca’s urban landscape has changed over time.

Moments like these invite students not only to observe but also to reflect and discuss their experiences in Spanish.

Learning Spanish Through Culture

At Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, museum visits often become part of conversation assignments. Students may visit a museum independently and later share what they found unique or impressive during class discussions.

Because conversation groups are small, students have the opportunity to explore their ideas in depth while practicing Spanish in a relaxed, teacher-moderated environment.

This approach reflects a simple idea: language is best learned when it connects with real experiences. For many students, describing a museum piece in Spanish becomes one of the first moments when language learning connects directly with personal discovery.

Exploring Oaxaca’s Museums Together

For students who want to explore these museums in greater depth, Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, as part of the Full Spanish Immersion Program, offers a Cultural Workshop on the Museums of Oaxaca for students studying Spanish in the city.

For those who are not currently in Oaxaca, an online tertulia (conversation series) allows participants to explore these museums through guided discussions and shared materials, creating a space where culture and language meet even at a distance.

Whether walking through the historic halls of Santo Domingo or discovering hidden museums beyond the city center, Oaxaca’s museums offer students a unique way to connect language, history, and culture.

And sometimes, a single museum visit can open the door to an entirely new understanding of the city.