| When one thinks of vacation, often the thought is | | | | and the Moors during Spain's expulsion of the Moors |
| about going to the beach. But, what about for those of | | | | from the Peninsula. What's most impressive about this |
| us, who are not too keen of the beach? Well, if that's | | | | celebration is that there is a live presentation of the |
| the case why not visit Zacatecas, Mexico? Traveling | | | | battles; this includes actors in full medieval costumes |
| to Zacatecas is like traveling through time, for this city | | | | using real weapons (with blanks of course). |
| is one of the best well-preserved colonial cities in the | | | | They do such an amazing job at recreating this |
| world! | | | | historical event; it's like bringing history to life! |
| Zacatecas is located in the Mexican State of the | | | | Zacatecas' Cultural Festival (El Festival Cultural de |
| same name. To be more specific, the city of | | | | Zacatecas) is another excellent event, but it takes |
| Zacatecas is located in the center-most part of the | | | | place during the week of Easter. This event is mainly |
| country. It is surrounded by vast mountainous terrain | | | | dedicated to the arts including poetry, literature, music, |
| including two of the world's renowned mountains, La | | | | painting, sculpting and cinema. People from all over the |
| Sierra Madre Occidental and La Sierra Madre Oriental. | | | | world come to partake in this cultural event. In fact, just |
| This particular city boasts of an incredible wealth in | | | | two years ago there were participants from over 20 |
| history and their yearly traditions are lessons in its | | | | countries and more than 40,000 tourists attended. This |
| culture. It is this same richness which has earned this | | | | is definitely a world-wide event, for there are |
| city the designation of a UN World Heritage Site. The | | | | participants not only from Mexico but from Japan, Iran, |
| city's name is derived from the indigenous Nahualt | | | | Russia, Spain, England, and Austria, just to name a few. |
| language, and it refers to the grasslands that are | | | | On the musical stage, which by the way is free, |
| specific to the area. The Nahualt word for grass is | | | | international artists from Bob Dylan to Gloria Gaynor to |
| transliterated to "Zacalt" and evolved to the modern | | | | Ricardo Arjona to La Oreja de Van Gogh have |
| Spanish word "Zacate" or grass. However, at one | | | | marveled audiences with their timeless music. |
| point this precious city was called "Zacatlan" and it | | | | Lodging is very affordable and most hotels preserve |
| was the inhabitants who were called "Zacatecas." | | | | that traditional colonial style. Quinta Real used to be a |
| The early inhabitants of this area were indigenous | | | | bullfight arena and has been transformed, for your |
| groups. It was first inhabited by Caxcan and | | | | enjoyment, into a five-star hotel. Indeed, you'll be |
| Guachichile natives. It wasn't until the 16th century | | | | surrounded by the bullfight environment up to the most |
| when the Spaniards arrived and took over the land. | | | | miniscule detail. If you'd like to further indulge in the |
| Zacatecas was then founded as a city in 1546, | | | | baroque-style then stay at Hotel Emporio. Hotel |
| although some historians out there will argue that it | | | | Emporio has managed to preserve the colonial-style of |
| was in 1548. But it was in effect in 1546 when silver | | | | the city and from here you can admire the city's |
| was first discovered in these lands. The population | | | | liveliness. Lastly, Hotel La Casona de los Vitrales is an |
| increased in the late 1550s, which was when the huge | | | | incredible place to stay. As it is aptly named, "vitrales" |
| discovery of silver was truly noted. The silver mining | | | | means windows, the windows are brilliantly designed |
| business boomed, and can almost be compared to a | | | | and decorated by a local artist. This you have to see |
| similar historical event, the "The Gold Rush." The | | | | to believe! |
| Spaniards used indigenous serfs and African slaves | | | | Unlike most cities, Zacatecas has only three |
| for the arduous and dangerous labor. Soon the silver | | | | performing arts theaters: Teatro Fernando Calderon, |
| was shipped to Europe. In fact, if it wasn't because of | | | | which was finished in 1897 and is based on purely |
| Zacatecas' silver, the Spanish Crown wouldn't have | | | | French architecture (pretty astounding if you ask me); |
| accumulated the wealth necessary to finance future | | | | Teatro Ramon Lopez Velarde, which is a bit more |
| wars. | | | | commercial, for theater companies from Mexico City |
| Not only this, but the silver had an overall impact in | | | | often perform there to the general public; El Teatro |
| Europe's economy. The disbursement of the precious | | | | IMSS is the third theater in the city, but unlike the other |
| metal was such that by the 1600s Zacatecas was | | | | two this one is dedicated to providing entertainment |
| recognized as the third largest city in Mexico, or "New | | | | mainly for children. As far as movie theaters, there is |
| Spain" as it was known at the time. Business kept | | | | only one in the entire city! This is called the MM |
| thriving and the success was such that by the next | | | | Cinemas. There used to be more movie theaters in |
| century, Zacatecas' silver ranked as the 5th largest | | | | the city but most are either abandoned or have been |
| producer of the world's silver. The 1800s brought about | | | | turned into something else. During the Golden Age of |
| the introduction of the railroad, known as Mexico | | | | Mexican Cinema, all these movie theaters were open, |
| Central Railway, which in turn made the shipping of | | | | but once this era came to an end so did the movie |
| silver easier. But this success wasn't everlasting. | | | | theaters. |
| Unfortunately, that same century that brought the | | | | But why watch a movie when there's so much to see |
| railroad also brought the demise of silver mining for | | | | out there including 24 museums! For instance, the |
| Zacatecas. The price of silver declined, so mines were | | | | museum Pedro Coronel (which is named after Diego |
| deserted. As a result, people began immigrating to the | | | | Rivera's son-in-law) features international art pieces |
| north and some even as far as what we now know | | | | from Egypt, China, Mexico, Japan, and Africa to |
| as the state of Colorado, in the United States, to be | | | | mention a few. You can take your time and admire |
| exact. But don't feel too sorry, that terrible fate wasn't | | | | original paintings by Picasso, Dali, and Delacroix! If |
| eternal either. Actually, up to this day silver mining | | | | you've ever wanted to see the world's largest |
| continues to be a profitable business but never equal | | | | collection of masks why not visit the museum Rafael |
| to what it once was. | | | | Coronel. However, if you're into modern art then visit |
| Perhaps one of the most famous occurrences in | | | | the Museo de Arte Abstracto Manuel Felguerez (The |
| Zacatecas took place in June of the year 1914, during | | | | Museum of Abstract Art Manuel Felgurez). This |
| the Mexican Revolution. "La Toma de Zacatecas" | | | | particular museum is the most important in Latin |
| (The Taking of Zacatecas) was the bloodiest and | | | | America and features modern and abstract art by |
| most gruesome event in the Mexican Revolution. It | | | | Manuel Felguerez (for whom the museum is named |
| was the battle led by the world-famous bandit | | | | after), Juan Garcia Ponce, and Vlady among many |
| "Pancho" Villa against the Federal Army led by then | | | | others. Native indigenous art, particularly by the |
| President Victoriano Huerta. Villa's troops, known as | | | | Huichole tribe, can be admired up close and personal at |
| Los Dorados, were able to outsmart and corner the | | | | the Museo Zacatecano. The churches in Zacatecas |
| Federal Army. This was mainly due to Villa's intelligence | | | | are much like monuments or better yet, architectural |
| and ability to use the mountainous terrain for his | | | | art that has withstand the toll of time. One church you |
| advantage. In fact, Villa used a technique of deceit, | | | | must not miss is the city's cathedral, La Catedral |
| making the Federal Army believe that Villa's people | | | | Basilica de Zacatecas, with its baroque style. |
| would attack from a specific point. Villa ordered the | | | | The lavish and fantastic detailing out of carved |
| troops to be positioned the night before the battle so | | | | red-stone took place between 1730 and 1760. The |
| as to surround the Federal Army. Villa's troops also | | | | carved images of the Apostles are almost incredible, |
| blocked all the city's exits so that the Army had no | | | | not to mention the tiny details! The remains of San |
| other alternative than to surrender or die. Today, three | | | | Mateo Correa, a martyr original of Zacatecas |
| large monuments of Pancho Villa and his two main | | | | canonized by Pope John Paul II, can be found inside. |
| generals (all three men on horseback) stand rigid in | | | | Unfortunately, the cathedral was looted during the |
| celebration and honor of three of Mexico's greatest | | | | religious persecutions of the early 20th century. |
| protagonists. You can find these statues at the summit | | | | Nevertheless, it is an architectural marvel! Another |
| of "Cerro de la Bufa," which is exactly where this | | | | architectural beauty you can't miss, and which |
| event took place. | | | | happened to be almost right in front of the cathedral, is |
| When you visit Zacatecas you will be amazed by the | | | | La Iglesia Santo Domingo de Guzman. Like the |
| quantity of places to admire. In fact, you can ride an | | | | cathedral, Church of Santo Domingo has the Spanish |
| aerial tramway or "teleferico" in order to absorb the | | | | baroque style. It was built between 1746 and 1749 by |
| most magnificent aerial view of this | | | | the Jesuits, although the Jesuits lost control of the |
| beautifully-preserved colonial city. A quick fact: the | | | | church upon their expulsion and the followers of Santo |
| aerial tramway was built by a Swiss company in the | | | | Domingo took control (thus the name of the church). |
| late 1970s. "El Cerro de la Bufa" is not only the | | | | What is most spectacular about this building is the gold |
| platform for Pancho Villa's monument, but just the trip | | | | wood-carved altarpieces, which are housed by three |
| through the narrow and rugged roads might take you | | | | ships. It really is an extraordinary sight! |
| back through time. Having learned about Zacatecas' | | | | If you'd like to take a stroll through the city, the best |
| mining history, you can't leave without visiting "El Eden" | | | | street is Hidalgo Avenue (Avenida Hidalgo). This is |
| which is an old mine that has been transformed into a | | | | Zacatecas' most important and captivating street. It |
| museum and an underground nightclub. | | | | literally takes you through time, for on your stroll you |
| One of the best times to visit Zacatecas is in | | | | will encounter colonial buildings, colonial-style plazas, and |
| September, for this is when Zacatecas' National Fair | | | | even a shopping center of the same style (Mercado |
| (La Feria Nacional de Zacatecas) takes place. This | | | | Gonzalez Ortega). As a matter of fact, most of the |
| event is like the melting pot of cultural events. You will | | | | streets in Zacatecas are stone-paved and narrow and |
| have the opportunity to witness art expositions, horse | | | | will remind you of the streets in France; but, they're full |
| races, impressive culinary creations, bullfighting, | | | | of life and color unlike any other streets you've seen. It |
| Palenque (small arena with musical guests, cockfights, | | | | is not unusual to see local marching bands performing |
| equestrian shows), and even charreadas (an | | | | along the street on the weekends. As far as cuisine is |
| elaborated rodeo). Did I mention that the weather this | | | | concern, "La Leyenda" (The Legend) is one of |
| time of year is just in the cool 70 degrees Fahrenheit? | | | | Zacatecas' most famous restaurants and their |
| Another great celebration is "La Morisma," which takes | | | | specialty is a dish called "El Minero Platero" (The |
| place during the last week of August. This particular | | | | Silversmith Miner). |
| event celebrates the battles between the Christians | | | | |