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Puebla

Museum sights in Puebla

  1. A

    Museo Poblano de Arte Virreinal

    Inaugurated in 1999, the Museo Poblano de Arte Virreinal is housed in the 16th-century Hospital de San Pedro. One gallery displays temporary exhibits on the art of the viceregal period (16th to 19th centuries); another has temporary exhibits of contemporary Mexican art; and the last houses a fascinating permanent exhibit on the hospital’s history, including a fine model of the building. The excellent library and bookstore have many art and architecture books in English.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Museo de Arte Popular Poblano

    Housed in the 17th-century Ex-Convento de Santa Rosa, this musuem is home to an extensive collection of Puebla state handicrafts. You must join one of the hourly guided tours (last one at 16:00) to see the fine displays of traditional indigenous costumes, pottery, onyx, glass and metal work. Tours are in Spanish, but there are occasionally English-speaking guides available. Mole poblano is said to have originated in the nunnery's kitchen.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Museo Amparo

    By far Puebla’s best sight, the superb private Museo Amparo, housed in two 16th- and 17th-century colonial buildings, is a must-see. The first has eight rooms loaded with pre-Hispanic artifacts, which are well displayed, with explanatory information sheets (in English and Spanish) of their production techniques, regional and historical context, and anthropological significance.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Museo Bello

    This house is filled with the diverse art and crafts collection of the 19th-century industrialist Bello family. There is exquisite French, English, Japanese and Chinese porcelain and a large collection of Puebla Talavera. Tours are available in English and Spanish.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Biblioteca Palafoxiana

    Situated above the Casa de la Cultura, Biblioteca Palafoxiana houses thousands of rare books, including the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle, with more than 2000 engravings.

    reviewed