Churches of Cholula, Puebla province, Mexico

The talevera (painted tile) facade of the Church of Santa Maria Tonantzintla, Mexico. The local pre-Hespanic goddess was named Tonantzin – absorption is the best way to conquer.

We spent a day being tourists in the tiny town of Cholula, just outside the city of Puebla. The village is known for the largest pyramid in the world as well as the smallest volcano in the world. It has many churches, several appear in this post. Cholula is also full of restaurants, shops, galleries, and street life.

Baroque church ceiling
The baroque ceiling of Santa Maria Tonantzintla, Mexico
Baroque church
Elaborate wall decorations and scaffolding and Marc in one of the side naves of the Santa Maria Tonantzintla church in Tonantzintla, Mexico
Carved stone frame and metal studded wood door
Wooden door studded with metal ornament in an elaborately carved stone frame, San Gabriel Monastery, Cholula, Mexico. The door is giant – in each half there is a cutout for a regular size door that swings independently of the big door.
Metal rosette studs on a wood door detail
Detail view of the rosette metal stud ornament on the door, San Gabriel Monastery, Cholula, Mexico.
Exterior view church in Cholula, Mexico
The ochre facade of the Capilla Real in Cholula, Mexico, glows brightly in the blue light of an overcast day.
Church interior architecture columns arches
Part of the overall interior, Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
Altar of the Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
Altar of the Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
chandelier and soaring ceiling
One of many chandeliers in the cupolas of the Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
columns and arches repeating
Rows of columns and soaring cupola ceilings of the Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
roof cupolas of the church
Rows of cupolas on the roof of Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
statues, paintings, candles, rosaries
Candles, rosaries, icons, statuary, and various other religious items for sale inside church of Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico
black lace pray painting jesus
Spraypainted painting of Jesus on the cross, on a black lace background in the Capilla Real, Cholula, Mexico.

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