Zacatecas
This colonial city, almost unknown as a tourist destination until just a few years ago, is one of Mexico's highest (8,000 feet altitude).
Built on the riches of local silver mines, it is home to some of Mexico's finest colonial buildings, including perhaps the most stunning and magnificent cathedral in all of Mexico.
Spanish conquistadores discovered the rich lodes of silver in the surrounding mountains and just two years later, in 1546, the initial settlement was proclaimed a city. The cathedral, constructed of pink cantera stone and one of the ultimate expressions of Mexican baroque architecture, was built between 1729 and 1752.
As the capital of the State of Zacatecas (it lies to the north of Guadalajara and Jalisco), the city sports a fine university and is surprisingly sophisticated for its size. |
Tours of the local silver mines are available or one can simply wander through several excellent museums, including the Pedro Coronel Museum housed in the San Luis Gonzaga Jesuit College & Seminary (dating from the 17 th century).
The reduced paved alleys are one of the most important characteristics of the city, to such degree that have become all a tradition "the callejoneadas" calls, that are groups of people who to are of a tambora dance and cross each one of the side streets drinking mezcal or tequila "against the cold".
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