Pueblas’s Tunnels

There was a legend that said that under the city of Puebla, there was a network of tunnels connecting churches with ancient buildings, and they were also used as escape routes by Mexican revolutionaries during the war.

In 2015, a system of tunnels that extend more than 10 km and believed to be 500 years, old was found under the city. The tunnels are high enough in some areas (3m) that a person can easily ride through on horseback.

These tunnels begin in the historic center of Puebla and end at the Loreto fort, where the Cinco de Mayo battle happened. Researchers consider these tunnels may have been used by soldiers during the battle of Mexican liberation, though they also could have been used by clergy or also common folk.

Various old and antique items including toys, marbles, kitchen accessories, guns, gunpowder and bullets, were found trapped in the mud. Most of these items and weaponry were from the mid-19th century, about the time of the Battle of Puebla dispute between Mexico and France.

We walked 2 km straight up Calle 2 Sur to one entrance of a main tunnel called the Pasaje Historico 5 de Mayo that tourists can enter. Today being a Tuesday, entry was free.

There were very few people in the tunnels - one small tour group and a couple. We walked about 500 meters and looked at the displays showing items that had been found when the workers cleaned out the tunnels.

We ended up at the top of the hill where the Loreto Fort is located. Today is not a free day, lol, so we didn’t go into the fort. We can do that on a Sunday.

After the 1910 Mexican Revolution, the tunnels were forgotten but they lived on thanks to grandparents’ stories of the past.

On the way home, we stopped and had an Italian pizza at the Arugula restaurant. Great pizza and fast service. Lots of different pizzas to choose from!Read more