Centro Cultural San Pablo
Centro Cultural San Pablo
4.5
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
131 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
26
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
agavebeat
Oaxaca, Mexico34 contributions
Mar 2020
This beautiful cultural center is pretty much the 'heart' of Oaxaca. It is part of the Alfredo Harp Helu (ex-owner Citibank) Foundation, which offers free concerts, conferences, handcraft workshops, artisanal fairs, etc. throughout the year. It also houses four traditional art galleries with installations that change every few months and a permanent library dedicated to preservation of native languages. Just outside and around the corner is the fabulous Textile Museum. Entrance to the Cultural Center and all events are free.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alfonso_nr
Lima, Peru8 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Amazing melange of modern art and a classic monastery. The exposition, and the space is achieved. Just taking an expresó in their inner court yard and watching the umbrellas installation is and escape of the frenetic city. We loved it.
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill P
Oaxaca227 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
Señor Harp is one of Mexico's multi-millionaires. Different than many, he gives back to the people. Many museums and organizations in Oaxaca have greatly benefited from his generosity. Exconvento de San Pablo is his latest in Oaxaca. He opened a street which had been closed for decades or centuries as a beautiful pedestrian walkway. He restored parts of a church and built a beautiful multistory learning center for young people. There are exhibits on the ground floor, glass floors revealing ruins from ages ago, a lovely courtyard where concerts are held, a play area for children and a restaurant serving Mexican and Lebanese dishes. Mil gracias de nuevo, Señor Harp!
Written November 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck C
Lisle, IL195 contributions
Feb 2020
excellent renovated space, go there for a coffee, enjoy the exhibits, appreciate the work of the Harp Helu Foundation.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,645 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This ex convent has been converted into an an art gallery, with a number of interesting installations. Of note were a 'diablo' mask exhibition, an animal animation installation and a textiles display. It is free to enter.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Experience590611
Chicago, IL39 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
I got a quick tour of Oaxaca from a frequent visitor, and the Cultural Center of San Pablo was included. I probably wouldn't know about it otherwise, because it isn't on the maps! Don't miss it! Beautiful adaptive re-use and always interesting exhibits. Nice cafe and restaurant- but I love the building and exhibits.
Written April 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra S
Guatemala City, Guatemala38 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
I was very impressed with the reconstruction of this building, particularly the library. The mosquito sculpture barely walking on water is lovely.
Written December 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katharyn R
Toronto, Canada44 contributions
Feb 2018
This ancient convent/church, long a dreary lodging house, was transformed a few years ago by the Harp Helu Fondacion. Their architect kept some of the bones of the old buildings, but turned them into fresh, airy spaces containing exhibitions of local artists, historical photo records, even textiles. The lovely long courtyard is free to anyone who wants to sit and breathe and there is a cafe at the south end plus a restaurant at the north. Just a breath of fresh air in this lovely city. The complex leads to the Textile Museum of Oaxaca.
Written February 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NormBC
Vancouver, Canada245 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
I think the intended point of this series of buildings is not centrally one of its outputs, which is the restoration of the Exconvento de San Pablo. Rather, it is more centrally a vehicle to discuss how one restores Oaxacan historical buildings, many of which were once in terrible shape. Start your tour at the south end of things (you probably will enter from the north end). You will find there a visual discussion of building restoration and the kinds of choices faced by those doing it. Then work your way north, ending in the community center in the restored exconvent. There are great gallery displays there, a neat library tucked into the upper floor, etc. Midway there's even a little coffee shop.
Written February 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Austin, TX172 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I spent a lot of time at the Exconvento de San Pablo during two weeks in Oaxaca, because you can find a little bit of everything there. The buildings themselves are beautifully and lovingly restored, including the chapel, library, and exhibit spaces that include an archaeological find that pre-dates Monte Alban. But it's the way these buildings are used that makes them special. Two separate exhibit spaces feature different types of art--at the time that I visited, one featured a local textile artist and the other an exhibit of European-style chairs decorated with Mexican indigenous designs. Within the courtyard and a room that's designed as a family center I attended a couple of free concerts and a free movie screening. Check out their calendar--there are tons of free or cheap cultural events at San Pablo throughout the week that offer very high quality entertainment. I never ate at the restaurant, but had hot chocolate at the coffee shop and it was charming. Don't miss the bat-designed tiles on the way to the restrooms--this complex is full of amazing design touches that will surprise and delight the observant visitor.
Written June 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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