Catedral de Puebla (Puebla Cathedral), Puebla

Catedral de Puebla (Puebla Cathedral), Puebla (must see)

Puebla Cathedral (Catedral de Puebla) is the episcopal see of the Archdiocese of Puebla. The Cathedral was founded by King Philip II of Spain, and its construction began in 1575. It was consecrated in 1649 though it remained unfinished. The cathedral is also known as the Basilica Cathedral of Puebla or the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

The Cathedral also functions as a museum. It holds multiple works of art, including paintings, sculptures, carpentry, and jewelry. Items on display include sacred vessels and crosses made with gold and encrusted with precious gems. Its historical archive has documents dating back to the founding of the city.

The first architect of Puebla Cathedral was Francisco Becerra. The indigenous Cholula and Tlaxcala participated in the construction of the Cathedral. In the mid-17th century, the architect Juan Gomez de Trasmonte took over the plans. Gómez de Trasmonte, who had served as Major Master of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, adapted the project, giving it a more classical appearance and a basilica plan.

Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza joined the Cathedral around 1640 and ordered construction work to be finished. He used his own wealth and conducted fundraising in the form of tithes. The facade of the edifice was completed in 1664.

The north tower, also called Old Tower, was added in 1678. It is the only bell tower with ten bells in total. The most famous is the Bell Maria (Campana María,) weighing more than nine tons. The south tower was added in 1731. Both towers are about 230 feet high, being at the time, the highest in the American colonies.

Five daily masses are celebrated Monday through Saturday. The Cathedral celebrates 10 masses on Sundays. All guests are welcome.

Puebla Cathedral is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Puebla. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Catedral de Puebla (Puebla Cathedral) on Map

Sight Name: Catedral de Puebla (Puebla Cathedral)
Sight Location: Puebla, Mexico (See walking tours in Puebla)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Puebla, Mexico

Create Your Own Walk in Puebla

Create Your Own Walk in Puebla

Creating your own self-guided walk in Puebla is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Puebla Colonial Architecture Walking Tour

Puebla Colonial Architecture Walking Tour

One of the most authentic and traditional destinations in Mexico, the city of Puebla abounds in Baroque architecture, or rather the peculiar regional form thereof resulted from the fusion of European and indigenous styles in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Visiting this magical place you will find lots of (more than 70!) sumptuous churches, convents and sanctuaries, as well as other incredible...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Puebla Food Tasting and Shopping Tour

Puebla Food Tasting and Shopping Tour

In the city of Puebla there is something for everyone, from exquisite handmade elements, talaveras and embroidery to delicious Mexican sweets and tasty cemitas. Take this self-guided food and shopping tour to sample the local food and gather the treasures of the city in your backpack.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Puebla Introduction Walking Tour

Puebla Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla and the fourth largest city in Mexico. It was founded in 1531 in an uninhabited area between two indigenous settlements of the time, Tlaxcala and Cholula. The area used to be called Cuetlaxcoapan, which means "where serpents change their skin".

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés occupied the Puebla region in 1519, killing most...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles