San Francisco Acatepec church, Baroque church in San Andrés Cholula, Mexico.
San Francisco Acatepec church is a Baroque structure in San Andrés Cholula with an exterior covered in handcrafted Talavera ceramic tiles in blue, white, yellow, green, orange, and red laid against red brick. Inside, the space contains multiple chapels with ornate gilded stucco work and intricately decorated altars.
Franciscan friars began construction of this religious complex in 1560, and the work was completed in 1730 following New Spanish Baroque design principles. The lengthy timeline reflects the scale of the construction and the evolving architectural practices of the colonial period.
The interior decorations blend Spanish religious design with local craftsmanship through colorful cherub faces and gilded stucco work. These details show how indigenous artistic techniques were woven into the church's visual identity over time.
Plan your visit for morning or early afternoon hours when the building is open and daylight highlights the colored tiles best. The church sits in a quiet village setting and is most easily reached by personal vehicle or local taxi.
A fire in 1939 destroyed much of the interior, yet the Pantle family from Cholula spent decades restoring the decorative elements using age-old methods. Their work brought back the intricate gilding and stucco details that make the space special today.
Location: Puebla
Location: San Andrés Cholula
Inception: 1730
Architectural style: New Spanish Baroque
GPS coordinates: 19.02217,-98.30864
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
The Puebla region combines colonial history, pre-Columbian heritage, and contemporary culture across a landscape of urban neighborhoods, archaeological sites, and rural communities. The city itself was founded in the 16th century and retains its colonial layout with churches, palaces, and public squares. The Biblioteca Palafoxiana is one of the oldest libraries in the Americas, housing thousands of historical volumes. Casa del Deán preserves murals from the early Spanish colonial period. Teatro Principal de Puebla is among the oldest theaters on the American continent. The Cantona Archaeological Site documents a pre-Hispanic city with extensive stone roads and ball courts. Natural attractions such as the Tulimán waterfalls near Zacatlán or Los Lavaderos de Almoloya show the surrounding landscape. Within the city, several museums address the colonial era, the Mexican Revolution, and religious art. Traditional markets like Mercado El Parían sell local handicrafts and ceramics. Neighborhoods such as Barrio del Artista draw painters and visitors. Parks, gardens, and modern installations like the Estrella de Puebla observation wheel complement the historical offerings.
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