The Folklore Behind the Legendary City of Oaxaca

Due to the impressive colonial architecture andtold the Spaniards that their gold proceeded from
nearby pre-Hispanic ruins, in 1987, the UNESCOthis region.
foundation declared the city of Oaxaca a WorldThus they arrived in Oaxaca in 1521 in search of
Heritage Site. However, to understand what madethe precious metal. However, the city was now
the United Nations set their eye on this city andthe midst of a war between the Zapotecs and
give it such a prestigious title among so manythe Mixtecs, two rival pre-Hispanic nations. They
cities in the world, you must understand a little bitwere warring for control of the city; which ended
of its history, so bear with us.with the arrival of the Spaniards.The region then
The history of this city goes back 501 yearscame under Spanish control, and in 1532, by order
before the United Nations set their eyes on it,of King Charles V of Spain, the region is granted
when another very different organization entirely,the title of city and named Antequera. The city
the Ahuizotl Warriors, founded the city in 1486.was known as Antequera for almost 300 years,
The region then came under indirect control ofbut then, after Mexico declares its independence
the Aztecs. However In 1521, after the fall of thefrom Spain, the political establishment renames it
Aztec Empire, Moctezuma, the Aztec emperor,to Oaxaca in 1821.