Puebla - History

Established by the Spanish in 1531 on the main route between the port of Veracruz (the most important port in Mexico) and Mexico City, Puebla was the principal city of colonial Mexico. Puebla's appearance is the most European of all the colonial cities, because it was planned from the ground up by a Spanish city designer rather than being built within an existing Indian community.

By 1539, Puebla had a university and was on its way to becoming well-known throughout Mexico for milling, textiles, exquisitely decorated pottery and tiles, and for the architectural beauty of its buildings.

The colonial site of Puebla played a major role in the history of New Spain and Mexico. Its urban design, which dates to the 16th century and was inspired by the Renaissance, influenced the development of other cities in the New World. In 1539 Puebla became the Episcopal See and then experienced rapid development. By the 17th century, it had supplanted Cholula, which was 12 km. away. After enjoying prosperity in the 18th century, Puebla became the site of a series of confrontations in the 19th century. In particular, it was the site of most of the popular struggles related to the establishment of Independent Mexico and the revolutionary movement of 1910. In 1862, the French expeditionary force was defeated by the Mexicans in Puebla; this feat is celebrated on Mexico's National Day. Following the Reform laws of 1857, and especially after 1880, the city underwent development, including the construction of new parks and avenues which, since 1950, have enjoyed spectacular growth in all four directions.