The Cathedral

Puebla State - Capital

Location: 16 de Septiembre

Simplicity has no room within this novo-Hispanic architectonic jewel of ancient Mexico. It's imposing 70-metre high belfries, the tallest in Latin America, and the delicate angels and cherubs seemingly yearning to fly off the iron grids, are a brief anticipation of the fulsomeness and exquisiteness of this magnificent religious precinct, the second largest in the country. Designed by Francisco de Becerra and Juan de Cigorondo, its construction was a long and intermittent process that started in 1575 and ended in 1649, being consecrated on April the 18th of that same year, under the advocacy of the Virgin of the Purest Conception.

The ceremony was officiated by the City's Archbishop, Juan de Palafox y Mendoza. The monumental building, made out of limestone, links the early baroque with the refined Spanish renaissance.

Its façade is sober and presents great doorways on which the images of gracious angels stand out.
Its interior is a true ornamental fulsomeness with numerous pieces of great value disseminated upon its five naves, being of mush interest its main altarpiece, a work by the creative genius of Manuel Tolsá, its 14 lateral chapels, and its splendid choir stalls with ivory and bone applications. There are also mural and baroque paintings from the XVIII century and an entourage of angels on the atrium representing the City, officially christened Puebla de Los Angeles.
The Cathedral was restored in 1960.