March 18, 2018
Unlike many of the tourist spots of inland Mexico, the city of Puebla was not built on the ruins of an indigenous settlement. Instead, the conquering Spaniards decided to build a "modern" city 9 miles east of Cholula. It was founded in 1531, which I guess is much more modern than when Cholula was founded roughly 2,000 years earlier.
The original site of Puebla kept getting flooded, so most of the settlers moved to higher ground within a few years. Within about 70 years, the city comprised 120 blocks and a partially-constructed cathedral.
In 1987, the historic city center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Puebla is a wonderful walking city with lots to look at in the old town area.
The Museum of the Revolution was once the home of the Serdán family, who opposed the "re-election" of the Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz and supported the revolution led by Francisco Madero. A raid was carried out on this house on November 18, 1910. After more than three hours of gunfire between the members of the household and 500 soldiers, almost all of the revolutionaries inside the house were dead. This event is considered the start of the Mexican Revolution. The bullet holes from the exchange still pepper the exterior walls.
A huge carved head of Aquiles Serdán Alatriste, the owner of the home and one of the murdered revolutionaries, sits on a pedestal in the entryway.
I love the vibrant colors and crisp details of the Puebla buildings.
