Puebla de Zaragoza

The capital of Puebla shares the state’s name; officially it is Puebla de Zaragoza, honoring General Ignacio Zaragoza, who defeated the French army there in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 — the origin of Cinco de Mayo. Its colonial historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city is famous for mole poblano, chiles en nogada, and Talavera pottery. Neighboring Cholula, with its great pyramid, is a separate city, not the capital.