Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace)

In front of the bustling Zócalo and close to the Cathedral, there is a beautiful stone building that is the Palacio de Gobierno (or Municipal Palace) where the Puebla City Council meet.

We have walked past it almost every day and even saw a concert in its courtyard. We knew that we wanted to have a tour inside the building one day. Our neighbours, Steve and Jenny, said that they were going so we joined them for an English tour.

The building is a beautiful architectural landmark, made in gray cantera stone and featuring an exquisite front. It was completed sometime from 1887 to 1906.

Historically, the municipal authorities have been on this site since 1536. The very first municipal palace consisted of only three rooms and occupied just a quarter of the present space. In the early 17th century, a second floor was added.

In 1714, the city mayor began construction of the second palace. In 1897, the need for another (third), modern council building emerged. The architect opted to keep parts of the structure, the heavy masonry and quarry walls and the third palace was inaugurated in November 1906.

Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Puebla and could answer all of our questions clearly.

He took us up the Italian cabrera granite stairs to the gorgeous Council Room that houses the original Royal Certificate signed by Isabel of Portugal and dated March 2, 1532, that granted the city the title of Puebla de Los Angeles. Puebla comes from Latin meaning “settlement”.

Outside the Council Hall, there is a relief depicting the city along with the images of peace, labor and the arts. Below the relief is a stone plaque, previously attached to the outer wall of the second palace, commemorating the 1714 remodeling, and complete with the lintel and jambs from the first building.

It’s a beautiful building and the tour guide was wonderful.Read more