Puebla

01st August 2011

For some reason we thought Puebla [16] was going to be a pueblo so were surprised when we arrived in Mexico´s 5th largest city. The conquistadors founded Puebla in 1531 as a foil to the dominant indigenous cities of Cholula and Tlaxcala. Today, wandering the historic centre with its tile covered buildings and 70 ornate churches you could believe you are in Madrid or Lisbon – complete with Churros (Spanish donuts) and Portuguese custard tarts for sale on the zócalo. This city has about 5,000 colonial buildings, mostly baroque built in the 16th century, but Mujédar, Renaissance and Neo-classical styles also add to the old world charm. Every corner revealed a new gem that we had to investigate so it was impossible to proceed directly to anywhere!  Sunday is a special day; church bells ring, families dressed in their finest wander around the zócala as dancers and bands perform; big lunches at 3 pm.

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The signature dish is Mole Poblano, a rich sauce of chillies, fruit, nuts, spices and chocolate served over chicken with rice. We chose a couple of beautiful upmarket restaurants to re-sample the Chilies en Nogada and the Moles (going for the Tablecloth Stainer and a Green Pumpkin Seed Mole this time); they were exquisite.

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Puebla´s Museo Amparo has an outstanding pre-Hispanic art collection, well worth a few hours exploration. We´ve included a few photos below.

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Puebla´s Cathedral - the 69 meter towers are México´s highest ...

... features on the 500 Peso note

Mole Poblano, Puebla´s signature dish

Santo Domingo, construction began in 1571

Inside the ornate Capilla de Rosario, Mexico´s finest baroque chapel

Walls of herringbone brick with inlaid tiles are common in Puebla

Jesuit Church

Moorish style building

Templo de San Francisco

Virgen María la Conquistadora which was carried by Hernán Cortés

Santa Monica Church is decorated for a festival

Santa Rosa

17 th century hunting scene on a doorway

Tiled building

Santa Catalina bell tower

A lady selling donuts inside the church doorway

Blue church

Tiled Moorish style hotel

Dome of San Jose

Tiled plaque on a wall

Window full of pot plants

Iglesia de la Soledad

Tiled building with waterspouts

Downtown apartment store

Iglesia de Guadalupe

El Carmen

Food market

Puebla street

Tiled dome

Templo de San Marcos

Puebla street showing Moorish influences

Folk dancers at the Cultural Centre

Guitar player

Hanky dance

Back of the Cathedral

Pre-Hispanic pottery in the Ampara Museum
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