15th July 2019: The Church of San Francisco Acatepec in Puebla, Mexico
Puebla is located about 130 kilometers southeast of Mexico City and is renowned for its stunning colonial architecture and rich culinary traditions. Founded by the Spanish in 1531, its historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is adorned with vibrant Talavera pottery, which adds a distinctive beauty to the decoration of churches and buildings. Historically, Puebla is known for the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when Mexican forces successfully repelled the French army. This victory is commemorated annually on May 5th with the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Today, Puebla has also grown into a major industrial city, home to one of Volkswagen’s largest manufacturing plants. In the nearby town of Cholula, the Church of San Francisco Acatepec stands out as a 16th-century Baroque masterpiece. Its exterior is richly decorated with colorful Talavera tiles, and its yellow façade gleams brilliantly under the Mexican sun, making it a striking sight even from afar. The int...