The facade of many building in the historic centre of Puebla de Zaragoza are covered in the characteristic talavera tile the city is known for. Talavera pottery is a unique form of tin-glazed earthenware with a history intertwined with Spanish colonial influence and indigenous traditions. The name "Talavera" stems from the Spanish city of Talavera de la Reina, where the original techniques were developed and brought to the Americas by Spanish artisans in the 1500's. Today’s “True” Talavera tile and pottery comes from the rich black and white volcanic soils in and around Puebla.