The Zócalo de Puebla is the city’s main square and one of the oldest in Mexico. Surrounded by history, culture, and amazing food, it’s the perfect place to relax, explore, and soak in the charm of colonial Puebla.
CITY CENTER
The streets of Puebla were laid out from this very spot.
OLD BUT GOLD
The Zócalo dates back to 1531, just after Puebla was founded!
CHANGING FACE
The square has evolved over time—once used for bullfights, now it’s a place for art and leisure.
SURROUNDED BY BIG BUILDINGS
Around the Zócalo are the Cathedral to the south, the Hidalgo Portal and the Municipal Palace Portal to the north, and the Iturbide and Morelos Portals to the west and east, respectively.
KIOSK REPLACEMENT
In 1882 a kiosk was placed right in the center, which was replaced by the Fountain of San Miguel until the 1960s.
FOUNTAIN OF SAN MIGUEL
The famous fountain of San Miguel was built to supply fresh water to the citizens of Puebla.
RESTLESS FOUNTAIN
The fountain has been moved several times: in 1873 it was dismantled for modernization work until 1996, when it returned to the Zócalo.
PREVIOUSLY KNOWN
Before it was known as Zócalo, it was named Cuetlaxcoapan, which means “place where snakes shed their skin.”
CHANGING
FACE
There are four sculptures for each corner. These were donated in 1926 by the Spanish, English, Syrian-Lebanese, and German colonies settled in Puebla. bathroom suites, among others.