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After successfully completing my TEFL certification in Guadalajara, I embarked on a 2-3 week journey of Mexico. My first stops were the silver mining towns of Guanajuato and Taxco. Both of these cities are located in the hills of the Sierra Madre Oriental - thus enormously influencing these cities' landscapes.
After the exciting, but at the same time often exhausting, vibrancy of Guadalajara; mellow Guanajuato came as somewhat of a blessing in disguise. The Northern Central Highland states of Guanajuato and Zacatecas have historically been some of Mexico’s most affluent states due to their large deposits of silver. In fact, somewhere between 30-40% of the world’s silver was mined in Guanajuato state in the 17th and 18th centuries. Fortunately, the repressive colonial regime was overthrown in the early 19th century, leaving the people of Guanajuato with a finely decorated city that is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Although Guanajuato is indeed a rather sleepy, mellow town whose population does not even exceed 100,000 – it is not too difficult to get a little lost in its many windy cobblestone streets and tunnels. But getting lost in Guanajuato is actually kind of an ideal way to spend time in Mexico as breathtaking views and alluring buildings can be found. In a way Guanajuato reminded me a little of some San Franciscan neighborhoods, with it’s hilly streets and colorful antique houses.
Unlike San Francisco however, Guanajuato is a very compact and peaceful place. Guanajuato’s main attractions are its’ cathedral, Jardin la Union and the Juarez Theatre – all centrally located. There is also the Museo y Casa de Diego Rivera – the house where Mexico’s most famous artist was born. The house has now been turned into a museum and should not be missed by any Rivera fans. Another museum that I checked out was the Museo de las Momias (Museum of the Mummies). Because of the exotic mineral content of the soil, bodies buried in the cemetery were dug up and found preserved some 150 years ago and now over a hundred mummies are displayed in this museum. They are not necessarily very pretty, but they are certainly quite interesting.
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Unlike colorful Guanajuato, virtually every building in Taxco has been painted bled-white, complemented with reddish brown tiled rooftops. In fact, the Mexican government has done this intentionally by declaring Taxco a national historical monument. Old antique buildings are maintained and restored and new development is closely monitored so that it conforms to the traditional Taxco style of architecture. The policy has certainly paid off as Taxco’s tranquility can definitely give Guanajuato a run for its money as Mexico’s most picturesque silver mining town.
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Located about 175 km south of Mexico City, Taxco is one of the best places in the world to buy silver. It is cheap and can be found in markets everywhere. It is no wonder the Spaniards settled here! The most conspicuous landmark in Taxco, like so many of Mexico’s cities, is without a doubt its central cathedral - Parroquia de Santa Prisca. This enormous cathedral is made even more stunning as it is erected on a hill and surrounded by pure white houses. There is a huge hilltop-Christ statue overlooking the town which is the ideal spot to get spectacular panoramic views of Taxco and the surrounding valley. I would highly recommend any visitor to Mexico not to leave out Guanajuato and Taxco on their itineraries! |
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