Santa María del Tule and the Árbol del Tule

The Árbol del Tule shapes the image of Santa María del Tule; religious traditions and the historic layout of the settlement add to the picture of the town. In the state of Oaxaca, further themes in archaeological and urban history come into view.

The Árbol del Tule and the landscape

The ahuehuete, also known as a sabino, stands in the atrium of the church in Santa María del Tule. It is more than 2,000 years old, about 40 meters tall, has a circumference of 45 meters, and weighs approximately 636 tons. Its age, height, circumference and weight convey different dimensions of the tree; measurements may vary depending on the method used.

Santa María del Tule lies in the Valle de Tlacolula, irrigated by the Río Salado. The town is about ten kilometers southeast of the city of Oaxaca, along the Pan-American Highway. The Árbol del Tule stands on the road to Mitla, about twelve kilometers from Oaxaca de Juárez. Both distances are approximate; check current road conditions for your specific journey.

There are five other, somewhat younger ahuehuetes in the municipality, known as Los Cinco Sabinos. Along with the old sabino in the church atrium, these trees are also part of the local natural heritage, but should not be confused with it.

History, religious tradition and festivals

North of the Pan-American Highway toward Mitla, a small group of pre-Hispanic mounds or earthen structures stands on a hill. The settlement layout also tells the story of the town: it was established north of the Camino Real to Tlacolula according to the planning standards set out in the Laws of the Indies, which were in force in the mid-16th century. The streets were laid out in straight lines.

The Templo de Santa María del Tule houses the dressed sculpture Niño Dormido, depicting the sleeping Divine Child. Its face, feet and hands are intricately rendered. Its origins are unknown. At the beginning of the 20th century, a private individual from Mexico City donated the sculpture to the temple, where it has remained ever since. It is venerated by local residents, worshippers from other places, and visitors and tourists who come to see the Árbol del Tule.

Older residents remember a Christmas celebration for Niño Dormido: girls dressed as angels while women rocked the child. This recollection is part of the town’s oral history. The Fiestas del Árbol del Tule take place on the second Monday in October; check the current event calendar before your trip.

More cultural themes in the state of Oaxaca

In the state of Oaxaca, archaeological sites provide a broader historical context. Monte Albán was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Mitla is represented by five monumental architectural groups: Grupo del Norte, Grupo de las Columnas, Grupo del Arroyo, Grupo del Adobe or del Calvario, and Grupo del Sur. After Monte Albán declined in the 9th century, Mitla gained importance, reached its heyday around the year 1200, and retained its preeminence in the Valle de Tlacolula until the Spanish conquest.

The historic center of the city of Oaxaca offers another point of interest: it preserves distinctive architecture and buildings from an artistic and historical tradition spanning more than four centuries; a total of 1,000 historic monuments have been inventoried and documented there. This broadens the local focus on the old ahuehuete and the traditions of Santa María del Tule to include archaeological and urban history across the state.

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to consider which themes you would prefer to explore during your stay: the focused local story of the Árbol del Tule, Niño Dormido and the history of the settlement, or a broader exploration of cultural sites in the state of Oaxaca.

Discover more destinations: Santa María del Tule, San Pablo Etla, San Agustín Etla, Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, El Barrio de La Soledad, San Pablo Etla, Santos Reyes Nopala.

For the broader travel overview: Oaxaca.