City of Zacatecas

The city of Zacatecas is a rose-colored colonial jewel sandwiched between craggy mountains and outcroppings that since 1548, when the settlement was founded, have rendered silver to regional mining operations. Its growth naturally spread along the course of the Arroyo de la Plata or “Silver Stream” at the bottom of ravine. The city is a maze of narrow and twisting streets that seem to slither up the hillsides, and its emplacement and architecture make it one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico.

Zacatecas lies at an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) in Mexico’s north-central plateau.

Colonial Mexico 2 Ed: A Guide to Historic Districts and Towns

Zacatecas Hotels

Places of interest in the city of Zacatecas

The Cathedral

The Zacatecas Cathedral was completed in 1732 and is an intricately carved and decorated baroque structure made of the pink stone typical of the area. The Cathedral is located on Hidalgo street in the center of town and surrounded by other gems of colonial architecture.

Palacio de Gobierno

The Government Palace was constructed in the early 1700′s as the home of the Count of Santiago de la Laguna, whose wealth was garnered through silver mining. The Palace fronts onto the plaza next to the Cathedral.

Teatro Calderon

The Calderon Theater, located on Hidalgo street just down from the Cathedral, dates from the 1800′s. It is currently run by the University of Zacatecas and is an apt venue for a variety of cultural functions. Of note is its beautifully decorated 3-story façade, the stained glass windows and its elaborate chandeliers.

Mercado Gonzalez Ortega

Although not an ancient building, this handsome structure was rebuilt after a fire gutted the original market. It is located next to the Cathedral and is noteworthy for its wrought-iron and arched eastern gallery. The market houses a number of shops and food outlets.

Templo de Santo Domingo

Originally constructed in the 16th C. by Jesuits, this pink-stoned, baroque temple was rebuilt in the 18th century and later occupied, together with the Royal College of San Luis Gonzaga next door, by the Dominican order.

Museo de Arte Zacatecano (Huichol) – The Museum of Zacatecan (Huichol) Art

The museum is located on Dr. I. Hierro street, across from the Ex-Temple of San Agustin. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Tuesday.

Upon entering the museum, which is housed on the second floor of the building, the visitor is greeted by an impressively large and elaborate Huichol art mural made of “chaquira” (tiny glass beads) embedded in wax on plywood, which hangs above the entrance stairwell. The mural consists of 80 decorated squares, each square measuring 30 cms (12″).

The museum consists of 3 sections: one which holds a variety of religious art, angels, saints, virgins, etc.; one which displays ironwork and metal artifacts; and the main section and greatest attraction, which is a fabulous collection of Huichol arts and crafts gathered by Dr. Enrique F. Mertens, who during his time attending to the medical needs of the Huicholes, was often offered embroideries and other crafts by the indians as payment. Rather than accept these gifts, Mertens instead supplied the Huicholes wih thread and cloth and had them embroider a series of embroidery squares of different designs and color combinations. The result is a fabulous collection of 209 unique, embroidered squares.

In addition to beadwork and embroidery, the Huicholes are also known for their hats and woven cloth bags.

Museo Rafael Coronel – Rafael Coronel Museum (Mask Museum)

Located on 21 de Noviembre and Abasolo, this impressive collection of Mexican masks is housed in one portion of the ex-church and ex-monastery of San Francisco, built in the 16th Century. Other areas of the church and monastery are used for the exhibit of historical artifacts. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily except Wednesdays.

Cerro de la Bufa and Teleférico (Cable Car)

The cable car can either be taken from the downtown area up, or from the heights of Cerro de la Bufa down, or both ways – each ride is charged separately (tickets as of August 2004, $21 pesos per person). The lower terminus is located a few blocks up from the Sto. Domingo Plaza via Callejon de Garcia Roja, which is a little uphill hike from downtown (or you can take a bus or cab). If you want to just take the downhill run, take a quick cab ride up to the top of the hill and make your way down.

Atop Cerro de la Bufa is a series of arts and crafts stalls selling souveniers, Huichol art, embroidery, semi-preicous stones and food, as well as the Museo de la Toma de Zacatecas (Museum of the Capture of Zacatecas), which was one of Pancho Villa’s most largest victories, and a large statue of Pancho Villa himself.

The views of Zacatecas from the cable car are spectacular (the top most large photo is taken from the cable car vantage point).The teleferico operates between 10am and 6pm and will suspend operations if there is too much wind.

Mina “El Edén” (Eden mine)

This mine is cut diagonally into the mountainside with two entrances, one near the lower cable car terminus on Del Grillo street, the other near the Alameda at Torreon & Quebradillo. The mine shaft follows a vein of silver which was mined, along with other extractions of gold, copper, iron, zinc and lead, as of 1586. It was closed when the lower levels began flooding.

The mine is open for tours from 10am to 6pm.

Near the main Alameda entrance is El Malacate disco, a unique discotheque in the bowels of El Eden. It is open from Thursday to Sunday, 9:30 pm to 2 am. Reservations are necessary: (492) 922-3727.