Cathedral
Your senses won't cease to be amazed at each step you take in this great monument of Puebla art.
16 de Septiembre between 3 and 5 Oriente

It was August 29th, 1536 when construction began on the old cathedral with the participation of the inhabitants of the present-day town of Calpan, who were renowned as skilful builders, and construction finished on August 31st of 1539.

Later, due to how important Puebla was becoming, the city decided to build a new cathderal, beginning construction in 1575. However, by 1640 the walls were barely halfway built, so when Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza arrived he gave it top priority. And so Bishop Palafox was able to consecrate Puebla Cathedral on April 18th of 1649. After Palafox's work, construction continued slowly but still according to his plan. In 1678 one of the towers was finished and its companion 90 years later. The dome, made of pumice stone to keep it light, is the most beautiful one in the city and one of the most famous in Mexico, for its size and its outer covering of Puebla ceramics.

One of the most beautiful spots in the cathedral is the Altarpiece or Altar of the Kings, which shows some of the first Solomonic (helical) columns in Mexico, which in this case were sculpted from Tecali stone. The paintings that accompany it were made by the Spaniard Pedro García Ferrer.

The dome above the altarpiece was painted by the excellent Mexican painter Cristóbal de Villalpando. This painting is the only known example of a painted dome made during the colonial period.

The main altar, known as a baldachin (altar canopy), was a product of the architect and sculptor Manuel Tolsá, who, following the tastes of the period, replaced the old baldachin in the 19th century with his neoclassical piece. In this same period various other changes were made to the cathedral, which gave it the appearance you see today.

The choir area is another area that impresses visitors. Its wooden seating, the lectern in the center with its hymn books, as well as the railing that surrounds it, make this spot a virtual window in time on the colonial era and cathedral life. When crossing the threshold of this imposing building, one has the feeling of having embarked on a journey through time and space.

Don't miss seeing the painting "La adoración de los pastores" ("The Adoration of the Shepherds") at the Altar of the Kings, where you can see depicted among the other characters Don Juan de Palafox y Mendoza!

Also don't miss seeing the decoration and paintings in the side chapels, as well as the beautiful sculpture of the Immaculate Conception, made by Tolsá, located at the highest point inside the baldachin canopy. The baroque organs adjoining the choir area are some more things you shouldn't miss here in this wonderful cathedral!