Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca (Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Garden), Oaxaca

The Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Garden (Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca) is a botanical garden spanning 2.3 hectares. It is under the administration of the Government of the State of Oaxaca and is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture.

A significant development took place on November 10, 1994, when an agreement was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. This agreement involved the transfer of the old Santo Domingo Convent in Oaxaca to the State Government. The purpose was to allocate a 2.3-hectare area for the creation of a botanical garden.

The Ethnobotanical Garden showcases a rich collection of live plant species, all of which are indigenous to Oaxaca. These plants originate from various regions within the state, encompassing both arid and humid climates. They represent the diversity of Oaxaca's landscapes, including lowland tropics, temperate areas, and cold mountainous regions.

The garden is situated within the Santo Domingo Cultural Center, which occupies the historical convent constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries for Dominican friars. The garden's land was once part of the convent's orchard. Over the years, the space served different purposes, such as barracks from the mid-19th century until 1994. It was equipped with dormitories, parking lots, sports fields, and other military facilities.

During the colonial era, the garden area was utilized for various activities related to the convent's daily life. Evidence of this can be observed within the garden, including irrigation and drainage canals, ponds, lime kilns, laundry rooms, a ceramic oven, and a paved road used for supplying food and fuel with wagons.