Five World Heritage Cities to Explore in Mexico

by Valentín Fuentes
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Fri September 8, 2023

Mexico is one of the countries with the most significant cities recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its colonial and pre-Hispanic past makes it one of the most attractive places for tourists worldwide.

Here are five examples of cities no visitor should miss.

Mexico City

With thousands of historic buildings, Mexico City is one of the most important tourist sites in the world. In its historic center are five Aztec temples and the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest temple on the continent. Those who walk through this great metropolis can enjoy the main square (Zocalo), the large park called Alameda Central, the Latin American Tower, as well as colonial temples such as San Fernando, San Hipólito and buildings such as the former Academy of San Carlos, the Old Palace of Medicine and the Old Palace of the Archbishopric, to name a few.

The impressive Metropolitan Cathedral, founded in 1570, is one of the most outstanding works of Colonial architecture. It has four facades with columns and statues; inside, it has five naves with 51 vaults, 74 arches, and 40 columns. In addition, its two immense towers have 35 bells.

Its two fabulous altars, the sacristy, the choir, and 16 chapels with altarpieces, paintings, and sculptures for the worship of different saints stand out. In addition, it has underground crypts with the remains of important archbishops of the history of the Catholic Church of Mexico. This large building is located above the ancient Aztec City of Tenochtitlan.

In this area, visitors find the Templo Mayor Museum in the most critical Ceremonial Complex of Aztec culture. There, tourists can admire the most important findings from the end of the colonial era (1521) to the present day. The museum has eight rooms where visitors learn about the cult of two important deities of Aztec culture: Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, and Tlaloc, the god of rain.

Puebla

Puebla, located two and a half hours from Mexico City, represents one of the American continent's most important Spanish colonial baroque jewels. Its Historic Center is full of essential temples built between the 16th and 18th centuries, such as the impressive Cathedral, as well as a series of convents and temples of the most important Catholic orders of the Colony.

In addition to the Cathedral, convents of exquisite baroque art such as Santo Domingo de Guzmán and its impressive Chapel of the Virgin of the Rosary (1690), the Jesuit Temple, St. Augustine, St. Mark, St. Joseph and Our Lady of Guadalupe, to mention a few. In addition, there are several iconic buildings, such as the Casa de los Muñecos (House of Dolls) and the Casa del Alfeñique (Alfeñique House), among many others.

It should be noted that one of the most emblematic sites of the city of Puebla is the Palafoxiana Library (1646), which has a collection of more than 45,000 ancient books, 5,348 manuscripts, nine incunabula, and more than 2,000 printed books.

Guanajuato

This was one of Mexico's most important cities during the colonial period. It was the country's first gold and silver producer in the 18th Century due to the large amount of mines around the city. The architecture of the Historical Center of Guanajuato has a tremendous Spanish influence. It replicates the structure of medieval European villages with a series of buildings, squares, and cobbled alleys that make visitors travel in time and enjoy open spaces where art exhibitions and plays are held during the day.

The most representative places of the City of Guanajuato are the temples of San Cayetano, San Diego, the Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato, the Temple of San Roque, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, in addition to the famous Calle Miguel Hidalgo, the building of the University of Guanajuato (1671-1696), the Juarez Theater, the Plaza del Baratillo, the Union Garden and the emblematic Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss).

Morelia

This is one of the most important cities in Mexico because it was where great heroes of the Independence period were born or lived, as well as artists and prominent politicians of the colonial era. Its architectural importance is reflected in the buildings of its Historical Center, among which is a considerable Aqueduct that runs through the city, the Metropolitan Cathedral, built between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in baroque style and made in pink quarry.

Another of the important buildings of the City of Morelia is the Old College of Saint Nicholas, which served as a military barracks and prison throughout history. It is very close to the former Jesuit College and the Church of the Society of Jesus (17th Century), where the State Library of Michoacán is located.

Oaxaca

The Historical Center of Oaxaca is recognized as one of the best examples of Spanish colonial urbanism. It has buildings considered works of art for its exquisite baroque architecture, with 16th-century houses that have been kept in excellent condition and that visitors can admire along the city.

The Santo Domingo de Guzmán temple is an architectural complex comprising the church for religious worship and the former convent, which has a significant collection of historical objects from the ancient Mixtec culture. It also has the Botanical Garden of Oaxaca, where visitors can find various native plant species.

One of the most popular areas is the Plaza de Santo Domingo, which connects with the Macedonio Tourist Corridor of Alcalá, a cozy cobbled street from where visitors can see the beautiful architecture of the church and a series of old and large colonial houses.

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