Shopping and Handcraft

 What to Buy in Puebla

Ever since the viceregal period, and thanks to the fact that Puebla produces ideal materials, the production of handcrafts flourished. The techniques taught by the Franciscan friars together with the inborn creativity of the natives gave way to true works of art. Examples such as talavera ceramics and tiles, stuccowork, carved stone and wrought iron and proof of this. On the other hand, prehispanic techniques survived and and gave way to other examples of beautiful crafts such as: amate paper, embroidered textiles, woven palm, black, red and natural clay ornaments. Every region has a typical and representative craft which is part of the treasure of the people of Puebla.

As mentioned earlier, Puebla is the home of Talavera ceramic-ware, and you can buy a selection of items including colourful tiles, crockery and dinnerware mad from this hard-wearing (and “unbreakable”) ceramic craft.  The ceramic ware is not inexpensive anywhere, but Puebla is the best place to buy it, as it is among the least expensive of the places in Mexico that sells it.

     Shopping

Parian Market is the place to visit in Puebla if you are interested in shopping for some of the very fine handicrafts of this region.  This is the ancient town square of San Roque which was built in 1801. Most of it is covered with brick and talavera ceramic tiles in the typical Puebla style. Nowadays it is a craft market where shoppers can find talavera ceramics, onyx, typical candies, miniatures, embroidered goods, glass, clay objects, textiles, straw crafts, etc.