by Allan Taylor

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: June 01, 2011

Silver Cities of Mexico

The old Spanish colonial towns of Taxco, Guanajuato and Zacatecas are located not too far from Mexico City. They are the "silver cities" of Mexico, which are beautifully preserved like they were in colonial times, but now they thrive on tourism.

The great wealth produced by silver mining during colonial times of the 16th to 18th centuries, financed lavish mansions for the "silver barons", ornate cathedrals, theaters, and impressive government palaces that made New Spain truly a rival of the mother country.

Where to start your tour of the silver cities? Let's try Taxco.

Taxco is a fascinating silver town located in the mountains about 160 kms south west of Mexico City.

Taxco town was settled in 1529 by order of conquistador Cortes. The first Spanish mine in the North American continent was started here in 1531. A rich lode of silver ore was exploited using underground techniques. This transfer of European mining technology to the New World eventually produced enormous wealth for the Spaniards.

Taxco is one of the best places to buy silver jewelry. It is a very hilly town with a maze of narrow twisting cobblestone streets. Day bus tours from Mexico City  are popular and include a stop at Cuernavaca cathedral (started 1526) with lunch and time for shopping in Taxco. Regular buses leave from Terminal Sur and the trip takes 3 hours.

The silverware range is enormous for variety and value. There are over 150 "platerias", or silversmiths in town so competition for the tourist dollar is high. You will find silver jewelry set with malachite, lapis lazuli and orange fire opal from Queretaro. Some shops sell mineral specimens and beautiful crystals from the mines. The ladies go berserk.  It is a good place to buy men's silver rings which are an easily transportable memento.

North west of Mexico City, some 280 kms and 4 hours by bus is Guanajuato which is the next "silver city" to visit.  It is proud to be a UNESCO world heritage site.

Guanajuato is the most fascinating city in Mexico. It sprawls along the bottom of a narrow mountain valley and conveniently the main city streets and parking are underground. The nearby hillsides are a rabbit warren of old mines. The silver barons" became immensely rich and spent profusely on private and public projects. It is a city of fine mansions, theaters, churches, palaces and museums. The University of Guanajuato has a reputation for promotion of the arts with over 15,000 students. The School

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