Palafoxian Library

Puebla State - Capital

Location: House of Culture (Colonia Centro)

Its history began in 1646 when Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, on a pious act of detachment, decided do donate all the volumes of his library, composed of more than 5000 titles, to the state of Puebla. The Library, one of the oldest in Mexico, was included on the list of Mexico's Historic Monuments in 1981. It currently houses more than 41582 volumes of theology, philosophy and the Holy Scriptures, amongst other branches of human knowledge.

Its bookcases contain authentic bibliographical treasures, such as an incunabular with more than two thousand illustrations on linen paper, and an ancient edition of the Nuremberg Chronicles dating back to 1493.

Besides the artistic and literary value of the thousands of volumes, this "temple of reading" preserves valuable bookcases of carved wood, a baroque altarpiece, tables made of onyx, and a circular bookstand for the books of large formats.