Zacatecas, May 17-19, 2007

Map of Zacatecas

Efrain, Wim and I agreed that we will leave for Zacatecas at 9 in the morning of May 17. Zacatecas at 8,100 feet elevation, capital of the state of the same name is known as the City of Silver and of Mexico's best-preserved colonial cities. It is located in Mexico's north-central region, about 610 km northwest of Mexico City and has a population of 150,000 and is built on a ravine on the slopes of Cerro dela Bufa. Due to its pink limestone buildings, Zacatecas is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Mexico. Thanks to the city’s splendid history and architecture, the UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Zacatecas was founded in 1546 following the discovery of one of the world's richest silver mine. The state relies on agriculture and cattle-raising as main source of income although it is still a center of silver mining. The 200-year old El Bote is still in operation and the largest in the region.

I had two cups of hot chocolate prepared by Efrain's Mom while Wim had coffee. Efrain has his usual Mexican desayuno. Senora Jimenez was truly perplexed to learn that Wim and I are not used to eating breakfast. I had to explain that she should not worry about us. We just simply don't eat our breakfast even in the Netherlands.

Efrain informed us that he still had to do three asks before driving to Zacatecas: he had to visit the chapel where his kind laid in state; pass by the school; and talk to his brother. It was not a problem. We were on holiday and we had all the time in the world. It was a beautiful sunny day.

Along the way - that is if Efrain's mobile phone did not ring as he received phone calls incessantly - Efrain told us more about his hometown. About his brothers, their cattles, the ranch, his parents, the local politics, the 3x1 program, and many more. I told Efrain he can be an excellent tourist operator or guide in case he decides to switch profession.

We passed by Aguascalientes. Aguascalientes' name (meaning “hot waters”) is also the name of the State; the smallest State in Mexico. The state was founded 430 years ago, offers a splendid assortment of old neighborhoods, churches, plazas, gardens, architectural monuments, modern edifices, museums, bullfight arenas and swimming resorts with thermal waters. In this city, you can also attend various traditional events.



Efrain first drove around the city of Zacatecas before we proceeded to Hotel Meson de Jobito where Wim and I will be staying while in Zacatecas. He wanted to give a first impression of the city. This is my third visit to Zacatecas and the first time for Wim. I became familiar with city landmarks, the main streets, the cafes, and the shops. I stayed in Meson de Jobito during the Bi-national meeting of the Zacatecan Federacion in 2004 and I readily fell in love with its ambiance and its history. I was sure that Wim would like it as well so I asked Efrain to reserve a room for us. The hotel was formerly a 19th century apartment building.
Zacatecas has many beautiful colonial buildings, excellent museums and the magnificent 17th century cathedral.
Courtesy call at Zacatecas State Immigration Office where we met Fernando Robledo, Director del instituto de Migración del estado. Fernando was kind enough to arrange our two-day visit in Zacatecas.
A unique picture together with the State Governor of Zacatecas, Amalia Garcia Medina. This was my second meeting with the Governor who impressed me with her dedication in working with Zacatecan migrants.
Efrain interviewed by a TV crew.
The Sanctuario de la Virgen de Patrocinio, dedicated to the patron saint of Zacatecas.

The city landmark, Cerra de la Bufa is a rugged hill where Pancho Villas' decisive battle against the dictator Victoriano Huerta occured in June 1914. An interesting write up about Pancho Villa can be read here.

The "teleferico", the only cable car in the world to cross an entire city. It runs from Centro del Grillo (Cricket Hill) above the Mina Eden to Cerro de la Bufa. Wim and I took another route. We took the cable car from Cerro de la Bufa and down to the entrance of Mina del Eden. From the cable car one could see a panoramic view of the City of Zacatecas. the journey takes about 7 minutes and covers a distance of 2,100 feet.

The entrance to La Mina El Eden. visitors have to wear helmets.

One of Mexico's most unusual visitor attractions is a tour of El Edén Mine. The tour begins by taking a small train into the depths of the mine. A walking guided tour (in Spanish only) re-counts the mine’s tragic past. Forced laborers endured unspeakable hardships hauling tons of silver ore from the depths of this 1500-foot-deep mine. The mine opened in 1586 and was worked until 1964 when water flooded its lower levels. Of all places in the world, a disco has been built here inside the mine!

The Cathedral de Zacatecas is one of the best examples of Mexico's baroque architecture. The construction of the cathedral started in 1612 and ended in 1752, with the exception of its massive bell towers (completed in 1785 and 1904). The building is made of soft pink cantera sandstone and it has elaborate carvings, gold and silver ornaments and valuable art works.

Follow a band of horns and drums, a burro laden with barrels of fiery mezcal , and a group of merry celebrants swinging hands and dancing through the narrow streets (callejones) of Zacatecas.

On the second day of our visit in Zacatecas, Wim and I went to La Quemada, one of the northern region’s most important archaeological zones. It is about 56 kms to the southwest of Zacatecas off Mex. 54. This highly fortified, terraced and hilltop site was built on an important north-south trading route of the Mesoamericans. Also known as Chicomostoc Ruins, La Quemada is thought that the settlement reached its height about 900 - 1000 A.D. The Spaniards dicovered it in 1535. The on-site museum exhibits artifacts from the most important sites of the State of Zacatecas. Our tourist guide Aleyda is very knowledgeable. She is only 17 years old but she speaks fluent English, a little of Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

A good pair of hiking shoes is a must!

After La Quemada, we also visited the Pedro Coronel Museum which is located at Plaza Santo Domingo. It has a fine collection of MesoAmerican and African masks.


There was still an ample time to visit La Quinta Real, a colonial-style hotel. La Quinta Real is one of the world’s most unusual hotels. The building encircles the 17th-century San Pedro bullring. Everyone should try staying even just one night at La Quinta Real. It is not cheap though!

Visiting Zacatecas is like a homecoming to me. I have made so many friends in this place. The people are friendly and the city center is unlike any metropolis. You can still feel the rural ambience. I feel very safe in Zacatecas.


Zacatecas in a nutshell:

• Official name: Estado Libre y Soberano de Zacatecas / Free and Sovereign State of Zacatecas
• Short-form names: Estado de Zacatecas / State of Zacatecas; Zacatecas.
• Location: In its territoy is laying the geographical center of Mexico. It neighbors the States of Coahuila de Zaragoza (N), Durango (E), Nayarit (SE), Jalisco and Aguascalientes (S), Guanajuaton (SW), San Luis Potosí (W), and Nuevo León (NW)
• Area: 73,103 km²
• Municipalities: 57
• Population: 1'353,610 inhabitants
• Capital: Zacatecas (Pop.: 123,899)
• Statehood: October 3, 1824
• Arms adopted: Unknown date.

INEGI and SEP
Reported by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, October 06, 2001.

Source: http://www.fotw.net/flags/mx-zac.html#zac_p

Interesting links:

World Heritage - http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=676
Brief History of Zacatecas - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7016/zacatecas/history_of_zacatecas.htm
Zacatecas, City of Silver - http://www.ourmexico.com/story.php?storyID=25
http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/Visitmexico/Visi_Estado_Zacatecas
Flight information: http://www.farecompare.com/flights/Zacatecas_Airport-ZCL/airport.html
An interesting website on travelling around Zacatecas, Morelia, and Guadalajara states can be viewed at: http://www.mexperience.com/inmexico/diary/8legeight.htm
http://www.advantagemexico.com/zacatecas/index.html