The white building
Concrete like fabric.
Luis Alvaz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CUTI1 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Luis Alvaz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lizzysoberon — CC BY-SA 4.0
A modern museum opened in 2016, designed by the celebrated Japanese architect Toyo Ito, in a building of curved, rippling white concrete panels that look like hanging fabric, set beside a shallow pool that mirrors its shape. The building itself is one of the highlights. The museum is devoted to Baroque art and culture, the style that dominated Europe and Latin America in the 17th and 18th centuries with its dense ornament, movement and drama. Puebla is one of Mexico's richest cities in Baroque architecture, which is why the museum is here. Its halls hold paintings and art objects, architectural models and displays on the music, literature and science of the age, with screens and interactive technology that make it accessible to non-specialists. Temporary exhibitions change through the year. The museum is some way from the historic centre, so take a taxi, and combine it with the park of the modern district. Entry is free on Sundays, and it is closed on Mondays.
Concrete like fabric.
Ornament and drama.
For everyone.
Angelópolis district, south-west Puebla, about 20 minutes by car from the centre
Yes: the building itself is an architectural landmark, and the interactive displays explain the era simply. Allow an hour and a half to two hours.