Historic Centre of Puebla (TREASURES OF THE WORLD)

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• published: 03 May 2016
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Puebla, which was founded ex nihilo in 1531, is situated about 100 km east of Mexico City, at the foot of the Popocatepetl volcano. It has preserved its great religious structures such as the 16th–17th-century cathedral and fine buildings like the old archbishop's palace, as well as a host of houses with walls covered in tiles (azulejos). The new aesthetic concepts resulting from the fusion of European and American styles were adopted locally and are peculiar to the Baroque district of Puebla. The city of Puebla de los Ángeles was founded ex nihilo in 1531, among the boundaries of the indigenous dominions of Tlaxcala, Cholula and Cuauhtinchan, following Spain’s regal recommendations to not take possession of indigenous territories. The original city Ciudad de los Angeles was laid out according to a Renaissance urban grid formed by rectangular squares laid out in a northeast-southeast orientation. The city is situated in the Valley of Cuetlaxcoapan at the foot of one of Mexico’s highest volcanoes, known as Popocatepetl. It commands a strategic location on the commercial and cultural trade route betweeen the Port of Veracruz and Mexico City, approximately 100 kilometres to the west, which allowed Puebla to be an important intermediate point and a core part of the Atlantic axle for over two centuries. The city exercised considerable influence in the 16thcentury and was the recipient of several nobility titles during this century. 1532, it received the “Title of city”(as the city was founded in 1531) and in 1538 the “Coat of arms”; both given by Charles V and signed by his wife, Elizabeth from Portugal. In 1558, it received the appointment as “Noble and Loyal City of Los Angeles” and, in 1576, by means of another Royal decree, it was declared “Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Los Angeles”. Many buildings from the 16th and 17th century have survived including the university founded in 1587 as Colegio del Espíritu Santo, major religious structures such as the Cathedral (dating from 1575), and fine buildings like the former archbishop's palace, the location of the Palafox Library established in 1646 and credited with being the first library in the Americas. Many houses are clad in coloured tiles known as azulejos. The use of these tiles illustrates a new aesthetic concept and the fusion of European and American styles particular to the Baroque district of Puebla. Reform laws in the mid-19th century required the closing of many religious institutions, which impacted the urban landscape. However, this era also saw the rise of high-quality public and private architecture. ABOUT TV SERIES: Treasures of the World – explore unique natural and cultural sites the world over. The TV documentary series “Treasures of the World” presents fascinating places, legendary cities and extraordinary natural landscapes that UNESCO has declared part of the Heritage of Mankind. Many natural phenomena and human cultural achievements are one of a kind and have become part of our heritage. They must not be destroyed or abandoned to decay. Starting in 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization set itself the task of preserving those natural, artistic and cultural properties of mankind that possess an “outstanding universal value”. They are designated part of the “Heritage of Mankind.” Let yourself be inspired by the myths and legends, by sacred structures and artwork by great masters. Let yourself be captivated by spectacular images, exciting stories and historical revelations. Discover the flair of Europe’s old towns and Latin America’s lavish, baroque colonial buildings. Travel with us across Patagonia’s vast glacial landscapes and through the Grand Canyon. Examine the traces of long-vanished cultures in Asia and Africa. The TV documentary series “Treasures of the World” spirits the viewer off to some of the world’s most beautiful spots. SVJETSKA BLAGA (Croatian) Pratimo UNESCO-v popis svjetske baštine te ga obavijamo nevjerojatnim pričama o našoj ljudskoj povijesti i sudbini. Pod motom „Čuvamo ono što volimo. Volimo ono što razumijemo. Razumijemo ono što smo naučili.“ UNESCO od 1972. godine diljem svijeta čuva sada već 890 jedinstvenih prirodnih spomenika i onih koji su čovječjih ruku djelo. Serija prati UNESCO-v popis svjetske baštine te ga uz pomoć fantastičnih prizora obavija nevjerojatnim pričama o našoj ljudskoj povijesti i sudbini. Svaka epizoda pruža ne samo impresivnu količinu informacija o našem svijetu, nego i osjećaj za duh svake lokacije te gledateljima nudi nove uvide i poglede. Serija nevjerojatnim pričama otkriva i daje uvid u UNESCO-v popis spomenika svjetske baštine snimajući sve na 35-milimetarskoj vrpci.