Artworks inspired by this location

The main attraction in Puebla is the architecture. Thousands of buildings from the Spanish colonial days of centuries past have been beautifully preserved in the city center. There are enough churches alone to fill a photo album. The center of this visual feast is the cathedral, the tallest in the country, which dates back to 1550.

Next to the cathedral lies the zócalo (photo at right), the center of social activity for the city. Most nights there is music playing or various performers doing their acts. I happened to be in Puebla during Holy Week one year and experienced the biggest party in the streets that I have ever seen. The zócalo is a spacious square of shady trees, benches and fountains. It's a nice place to relax and people watch, and if you get bored with that, the streets within a mile radius are packed with restaurants, art galleries, and shopping centers.

As far as tourist attractions go, there are several historic sites in the area, like a 17th century convent you can tour, or the house of the Serdáns, where in 1910 the first battle of the Mexican Revolution took place. There is also an African safari park on the outskirts of town. Since so much of Puebla's allure depends on architecture and historic preservation, not surprisingly many of the museums in the city are focused on the decorative arts (the furniture and objects that used to fill all these beautiful old buildings). The only must-see museum is the Museo Amparo, which contains a great collection of pre-Colombian art and artifacts, as well as a couple centuries worth of Spanish colonial art.

In addition to beautiful architecture, Puebla is also known for its good food. There are many dishes that are specific to the region. One of the more famous delicacies which has spread to the rest of Mexico is mole poblano sauce, a brown sauce made with chocolate and chile peppers that is served over chicken or turkey.

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