Puebla cathedral Avenida 16 de Septiembre Puebla Mexico October 21 2013 On January 24, 1557 Viceroy Martín Enríquez (1562–80) authorized construction. The design was submitted to the Dean and Cathedral Chapter on November 11, 1557. Construction began in November of 1575, under the direction of architect Francisco Becerra and Juan de Cigorondo. Construction was interrupted in 1626 but in 1634 Juan Gómez de Trasmonte modified the design and construction began again in 1640 when Bishop Juan de Palafox was ordered by King Philip III to complete the building. It was largely completed eight years later and on April 18, 1649, the Cathedral was consecrated to the Virgin Mary. It was not entirely completed until 1690. The front façade was built out of a black limestone, and it has two towers, the tallest in Mexico, one of which has no bells. According to legend, an underground river passes under that tower and if bells were placed in it, the tower would collapse. DSC08853