In a Mexican valley, some 90 kilometers from the Mexico City, there is city with three names: Heroic City of Zaragoza, City of Tiles, City of Angels. However, to travel lovers it's simply Puebla, one of the world's top destinations.
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Puebla is not a usual city built on top of an old native settlement: plans for it were made from the scratch and Spanish settlers built a new town of European look in the middle of the trade route from the Atlantic coast to Mexico City. Built in 1531, Puebla became known as the place of the best textile, pottery and tiles masters in the country. One of the safest cities in Mexico has mild climate throughout the year, from 21 C (70°F) in January to 26°C (79°F) in May.
So, where to start your Puebla journey? Begin at the city centre, UNESCO World Heritage site with 2600 historic buildings, and visit Catedral de la Ciudad de Puebla, right on the main city square (zócalo). When the building of the tallest church in Mexico was underway (a mix of Baroque, Neoclassic, and Renaissance style), builders didn't know how to lift a 8,100 kilograms bell to the top of the tower. Miraculously, over the night, the bell appeared at the top and there was no doubt that angels raised it, and the city became known as the City of Angels.
One block to the south there's Amparo Museum with more than 2,000 exhibits from 2500 B.C. to 1521 A.D. A few blocks to the north you'll encounter hotel La Purificadora that has a unique attraction: a 30 meters long glass-walled swimming pool with an open-air lobby. Just across the street there's Templo de San Francisco, a 500 years old building, the resting place of Sebastian de Aparicio Prado known as Angel of Mexico. He was declared a saint for helping native people and his mummy can be seen on the chapel's altar.
Puebla is also one of the iconic food areas in Mexico and food aficionados recommend tortitas de Santa Clara, tacos árabes, mole poblano, chiles en nogada, cemitas... In short, they recommend every single meal in the town. We'll give you just one example: Chile en nogada. That specialty is made of Poblano chile pepper with pork or beef and locally grown fruits, all dipped in egg and deep-fried covered with a walnut cream sauce, parsley, and pomegranate seeds and those colors represent the Mexican flag.
While in Puebla, it would be shame not to attend some of the local art and entertainment event. A block away of zócalo there's Casa de la Cultura (The House of Culture) which offers all sort of interesting events, from concerts, local art exhibits and altar-building contests. Puebla is also La Ciudad de las Ideas (City of Ideas), the home of the unique event in Latin America that brings science to people and where you can hear some of the best scientific minds explaining their ideas in plain English. Or plain Spain, to be more precise.
One of the things you can't miss is the world's smallest volcano. Situated in the southwest suburban, Cuexcomate (bowl) is just 13 meters tall and that's the only volcano with a spiral staircase inside it. If you love open space more, you can enjoy in Africam Safari, a drive-through ZOO with many endangered species and white tiger able to fell asleep in front of your car and in that case you'll have to find a new way around the ZOO.
As your journey through Puebla is coming to its end, you must not forget to buy something to remind you of this pittoresque town. There's no better souvenir than talavera pottery which can be found in the Antiqua Plazuela de San Roque, the city's first market. There are more than 100 shops so there's a huge number of beautiful pieces to choose from, and you can take a free guided tour around shops and learn the secrets of the local pottery masters. ■
