As in most Mexican cities, the central square -- or Zocalo -- is the heart of life in Puebla. Puebla's tree-filled Zocalo is not only a good place to sip a coffee, listen to music or watch locals go about their day, but contains some of the city's most famous architecture. The arcades surrounding the square date from the 16th century and Puebla's huge cathedral rises on the south side of the square. Most of the Cathedral's architecture dates from the 1600s. The church towers are Mexico's highest and the interior is filled with treasures ranging from frescoes to elaborate, gold-covered baroque chapels. Walking through the quaint streets of the city is the best way to get to know Puebla and the Zocalo is the place to start.
Puebla's baroque colonial architecture is distinctive within Mexico, incorporating colorful Talavera tile work and intricate gold-leaf designs found only in the area. Some of the best sights to appreciate this architecture are the city's fabulous 16th and 17th century religious buildings. The Templo de Santo Domingo is especially notable for the Capilla del Rosario next to the main altar, a masterpiece of carved stone and gilded plaster depicting a choir of angels. The old convent of Santa Monica offers guided visits of the facilities, including the simple but elegant crypt and chapel.
Puebla's vibrant cultural scene includes a number of world-class museums. The Museo Amparo includes a large collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and colonial art in addition to a smaller collection of modern and contemporary art. The museum provides guided tours in English. A block from the Zocalo, the Museo Bello y Gonzales has a fine collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century art and furniture, all housed in a finely appointed mansion with several beautiful rooms. For more contemporary history, head to the Museo de la Revolucion, located in a house belonging to a local leader of the 1910 revolution -- still marked by the bullet-holes left by the police attack on the house.
Cholula was once a separate town from Puebla, although the city's expansion is gradually enveloping Cholula. Cholula and Puebla, nonetheless, are still worlds apart. While Puebla was the home of Spanish conquistadors, Cholula was an indigenous town, a legacy still very much alive in its intricate craft art, zesty food and colorful architecture. Cholula was also home to a major pre-Columbian settlement. Little remains of Cholula's original grandeur, but the Great Pyramid -- partially destroyed by the Conquistadors who built a Catholic church on its top level -- is still the largest in Mexico. Cholula is easily accessible by taxi or local bus from Puebla.
