Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Santa María del Tule
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = MEX
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Oaxaca
subdivision_type2 = Municipality
subdivision_name2 = Santa María del Tule
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leader_title =Mayor
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established_title = Founded
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population_blank1_title =Municipality
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timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
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latd=17 |latm=03 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=96 |longm=38 |longs= |longEW=W
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elevation_m = 1560
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postal_code_type = Postal code
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Santa María del Tule is a town and a municipality in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is located 11 kilometers (6 miles) SE of the city of Oaxaca on Highway 190, passing the city and ruins of Mitla.cite journal |last= Quintanar Hinojosa |first=Beatriz |year=2007 |month= August |title=Sta. María del Tule y Mitla |journal=Guía México Desconocido: Oaxaca |volume= 137 |pages=28-29 |url= www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx ] It sits at an altitude of 1,560 feet above sea level. The town and municipality are named for the patron saint of the place, the Virgin Mary and “Tule” comes from the Náhuatl word “tulle” or “tullin” which means bullrush plant.

The town

The area where the town stands used to be a lake surrounded by cypresses.cite web |url=http://www.inafed.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/oaxaca/municipios/20409a.htm |title=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Estado de Oaxaca Santa María de Tule |accessdate=2008-02-22 |format= |work= ]

The town’s Baroque-style church is called El Templo de Santa María de la Asunción (Temple of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption) and dates from the 18th century. The 15th of August is the Virgin’s feast day.

The bald cypress tree, located in front of the church, was recorded in 1917, by George O'Neill, author of "Messages of Flowers" as to being in actual age, between 4,000 to 6,000 years old. This would make it the oldest of it's kind, still here on this planet alive and well. It is visited every year by visitors from all over the world. This tree, and its trunk and branches, have been affectionately referred to by visitors for the many shapes seen in it, such as “the Elephant”, “the Lion”, “the Three Kings”, “the Deer”, “the Pineapple” and “the Fish” . The town has a celebration in honor of the tree on the second Monday of October.

The municipality

As municipal seat, Tule has governing authority over the following communities:

Güendulain, Kilómetro Dieciséis Punto Cinco, and Paraje el Corralito

References