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All Mexico Cuilapam de Guerrero Princess Donají Tomb

Princess Donají Tomb

This abandoned convent keeps the tomb of a legendary beheaded princess.

Cuilapam de Guerrero, Mexico

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Mario Yair T.S.
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Princess Donají tomb.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Princess Donají tomb.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
The abandoned Santiago Apóstol convent.   Nsaum75/cc by-sa 3.0
Santiago Apóstol convent.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
The abandoned convent.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to the temple.   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
The head of the princess is an emblem of Oaxaca.   Municipio de Oaxaca/public domain
Entrance to the church   Joel Cusumano / Atlas Obscura User
Church entrance viewed from the west   Joel Cusumano / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Within the ruins of the abandoned convent of Santiago Apóstol, inside a small church, lies the supposed grave of the Princess Donají. The story of her life and grisly death is one of the most emblematic legends of Oaxaca.

The legend tells that during the pre-Hispanic era, the Zapotecs of Zaachila and the Mixtecs of Monte Alban lived in constant war. When the Mixtecs won, they forced the Zapotec king to deliver his daughter as proof that they would not attack more. This prisoner daughter was Princess Donají. The Zapotecs tried to rescue her, but before they could, the Mixtecs decapitated her and hid her body so that she could never be found.

The years passed until, during the Mexican viceroyalty, a shepherd boy who was walking near the Atoyac River (by the current Oaxaca Airport) discovered a lily. At that time of year, the lilies were so exotic that he decided to uproot it to take it with him. His surprise when digging up was that the flower was born from the head of the corpse of the lost princess.

When the people discovered that the body was incorrupt, it caused such admiration that it was buried with a great ceremony inside the convent of Santiago Apóstol. The princess was seen as a heroine of the defense of her people, and since then her head has served as an emblem of Oaxaca.

Currently, the convent is abandoned due to the frequent earthquakes in the area. The site preserves vestiges of mural paintings and its original architecture. It was used as a prison for the caudillo Vicente Guerrero, and even Pope Juan Pablo II gave a mass there. However, the most visited section is the tomb of the legendary princess.

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Legends Tombs Royalty History Temples Abandoned

Know Before You Go

The abandoned convent is located about 6 miles (10km) south of the city of Oaxaca, in the village of Cuilápam de Guerrero. There is a small parish church on the grounds that is in use today. The tomb is located at the front of the church to the right of the altar.

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Added By

Mario Yair TS

Edited By

Meg, Joel Cusumano

  • Meg
  • Joel Cusumano

Published

November 30, 2018

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Princess Donají Tomb
2 Vicente Guerrero
Cuilapam de Guerrero
Mexico
16.992417, -96.77911
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Nearby Places

Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol

Cuilapam de Guerrero, Mexico

miles away

Alfonsina

San Juan Bautista la Raya, Mexico

miles away

Zaachila Ruins

Villa de Zaachila, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cuilapam de Guerrero

Cuilapam de Guerrero

Mexico

Places 2

Nearby Places

Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol

Cuilapam de Guerrero, Mexico

miles away

Alfonsina

San Juan Bautista la Raya, Mexico

miles away

Zaachila Ruins

Villa de Zaachila, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cuilapam de Guerrero

Cuilapam de Guerrero

Mexico

Places 2

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