Zócalo, Central plaza in Puebla, Mexico
The Zócalo is the central plaza of Puebla and features multiple sculptures, including the San Miguel Arcángel Fountain and four muses positioned at each corner. The entire space is framed by historic buildings that define its character.
The plaza was founded in 1531 and served as the starting point for Puebla's grid layout, which continues to shape the city today. Until the late 18th century, it functioned as the main marketplace and was the economic center of the settlement.
The surrounding buildings—City Hall, Cathedral, and Casa de los Muñecos—form the religious and administrative heart of Puebla and shape the city's sense of itself. This is where the most important public spaces and symbols of urban identity come together.
The streets in Puebla follow a numbering system that originates from the northwest corner of the plaza, making navigation through the city straightforward. This makes it easy to orient yourself and find other locations throughout the city.
The plaza hosted bullfighting events between 1566 and 1722, serving as a display of colonial power. At its center stood a fountain that provided drinking water for residents and played a key role in daily life.
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