The Historic Mexican City of Cholula

Knowing we would be driving back through Mexico, I started planning the route.  Traveling mainly on Mexico Highway 57 in the middle of the country again, I wanted to see some different cities than on the way down to Belize.  That’s when Cholula, a small village just outside of Puebla, Mexico, popped up on the radar. 

The Great Pyramid of Cholula | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
The Great Pyramid of Cholula

I searched for lost civilizations in Mexico, and The Great Pyramid of Cholula came up as a must-see.  This is one of the largest pyramids in the world, but surprisingly I had never heard of it.  This goes far in showing how much the world has to offer that you would never know about unless you just go explore!

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios | The Great Pyramid of Cholula | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios | The Great Pyramid of Cholula | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

The cathedral, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, sits atop the Great Pyramid of Cholula, and was built by Cortes, after tearing down the former temple.  However Cortes never knew what his new church stood on top of, since the pyramid looks the same as it does today…hidden under brush and stone.  Learn the history of the Cholula Pyramid here.

The Great Pyramid of Cholula | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
View from the Great Pyramid Of Cholula
Popocatepetl Volcano | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Popocatepetl Volcano

View of one of Mexico’s two most famous volcanoes— Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl.

Popocatepetl Volcano | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Popocatepetl Volcano
Popocatepetl Volcano | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Popocatepetl Volcano
Popocatepetl Volcano | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Volcano View

We booked one night at Hotel Villas Arquelogicas and almost immediately changed it to two nights.  This place is perfect!  It sits directly across the street from the Cholula Pyramid, but also within walking distance from the city center.  The hotel also has archaeological discoveries sprinkled all throughout the property.

Marching Band | Street Photography | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Band Practice
Street Photography | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Streets of Cholula, Mexico
Bibliotheca Franciscana | Mexican Spanish Architecture | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Biblioteca Franciscana (exterior)

Situated in the Pilgrim’s Gate of the Convent of St. Gabriel, you’ll discover the Biblioteca Franciscana.  This library is one of the world’s oldest…I know, another of the world’s oldest/largest…It has more than 24,000 volumes published between the 16th and 18th centuries.  The guard there was great, allowing me to take pictures and even gave us a free gift.

Bibliotheca Franciscana | Mexican Spanish Architecture | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Bibliotheca Franciscana (interior)
Bibliotheca Franciscana | Mexican Spanish Architecture | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
Bibliotheca Franciscana (interior)

For more on travel photography, go to my post Travel Photography Tips and Planning.

The Great Pyramid of Cholula | Cholula Mexico | Image By Indianapolis-based Architectural Photographer Jason Humbracht in 2015
The Great Pyramid of Cholula

Although I would say Cholula, Mexico is a tourist destination, it doesn’t seem to attract many international tourists.  Natasha and I were the only white people around except for one other lady we saw on top of the Cholula Pyramid.  It seems most of the tourists come from other Mexican cities, and this may be why I had never heard of any of the beautiful sites this city has to offer.  And it has plenty!!!

0 thoughts on “The Historic Mexican City of Cholula”

  1. Hi,
    I’ve been inside an Egyptian pyramid. (My claim to fame =)). You know I share your interest in photography. My husband taught me a few tips Wednesday morning.
    I came by to thank you for following my blog Reflections. I’m sorry I couldn’t get over sooner to thank you.
    Janice

  2. Great looking blog and post. Love the pic of the volcano.

    p.s. Thanks for stopping by Self-help Health and deciding to give it a follows. Always appreciate when someone takes the time to do that, plus it helps lead me to what they’re up to, like this wonderful photography of yours.

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