World Heritage Identification Number: 416
World Heritage since: 1987
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Historic Cities & Urban Areas
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇲🇽 Mexico
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Exploring the Rich History and Architectural Wonders of the Historic Centre of Puebla
The Historic Centre of Puebla, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Mexico City, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of European and American architectural styles that characterizes this vibrant city. Founded in 1531, Puebla was built from scratch, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and cultural heritage of Mexico. In 1987, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its significant historical, artistic, and cultural value.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Puebla, which was founded ex nihilo in 1531, is situated about 100 km east of Mexico City, at the foot of the Popocatepetl volcano. It has preserved its great religious structures such as the 16th–17th-century cathedral and fine buildings like the old archbishop's palace, as well as a host of houses with walls covered in tiles (azulejos). The new aesthetic concepts resulting from the fusion of European and American styles were adopted locally and are peculiar to the Baroque district of Puebla.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): Puebla’s strategic location on a major transportation corridor permitted the exportation of its regional style of Baroque architecture, a fusion of European and indigenous styles, after the 16th century. The urban design of the historic centre based on a Renaissance grid plan has exerted a considerable influence on the creation of colonial cities across the country.
Criterion (iv): As an untouched urban network, the Historic Centre of Puebla is composed of major religious buildings such as the Cathedral, the churches of Santo Domingo, San Francisco, and the Jesuit Church, superb palaces including the old archbishop’s palace the location of the Palafox Library, the university, and many houses whose walls are covered with gaily coloured tiles (azulejos).
Encyclopedia Record: Historic centre of Puebla
The historic centre of Puebla was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.Additional Site Details
Area: 690 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 19.045967 , -98.197769
Image
© Israel Espinosa López: Zeisseon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
