Zacatecas City, Mexico’s Money Bag

Zacatecas city had its start as a Spanish mining camp in the mid-16th century. Indigenous people had already known about the area's rich deposits of silver and other minerals. Due to the wealth that the mines provided, Zacatecas quickly became one of the most important cities in New Spain, with much of its silver enriching the Spanish crown.

The area saw battles during the turbulent 19th century, but the major event was the Battle of Zacatecas during the Mexican Revolution when Francisco Villa captured the town, an event still celebrated every anniversary.

Today, the colonial part of the city is a World Heritage Site, due to the Baroque and other structures built during its mining days. The first major vein of silver was found in 1548 in a mine called San Bernabé. This was followed by similar finds in mines called Albarrada de San Benito, Vetagrande, Pánuco and others. Mining still remains an important industry. Silver may have built Zacatecas but today, Art and Culture rule, there are 9 major Art Museums in the City Center alone.

Rafael Coronel, Pedro Coronel, Francisco Goitia and Manuel Felguerez are some of the important Mexican Artists from Zacatecas and whose art influences the current crop of artist around the world.

We will return to pass more time in the high altitude world of Zacatecas Mexico.