The Very Noble and Loyal City of Zacatecas, Mexico

First of all, you should know with its rich mining past, vineyards, museums, cable car, wedding roast, and majestic colonial buildings, make Zacatecas one of the oldest cities in Mexico. There are many surprises to be seen in Zacatecas, this colossal Mexican city with 474 years of antiquity behind it.

It was founded in 1546 under the name of Real de Minas de Nuestra Señora de los Zacatecas. In the beginning, it was an eminently mining city, producer of abundant silver deposits, most of which were sent to the Spanish Crown. Thus, for more than 400 years, mining prospered in the Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Zacatecas and attracted hundreds of settlers in search of fortune, so the city was built amid abundant prosperity and wealth that gave way to magnificent colonial buildings, many of which fortunately survive today. And they are magnificent!

Where does the name come from?

It turns out that the word Zacatecas is derived from the Nahuatl words "zacatl', which means "reed, grass, grass", and Zacatécatl, which means "Inhabitant of Zacatlán" or place where the grass is abundant. The Zacatecas is a Chichimeca tribe that until the arrival of the Spaniards lived in the vicinity of La Bufa hill. Some people also like to refer to it as the city with a pink quarry face and a silver heart. It is an authentic city of pink palaces, closing your eyes and imagining yourself in those times is nice.

Some of the beautiful and historic buildings of its capital are the Temple of Santo Domingo, the Church of San Agustin, the Calderon Theater, the Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption, and the Government Palace. The city is one of the ten heritage cities of Mexico protected by UNESCO because its palaces have a lot of architectural value, and today it is also a very romantic city, full of cafes and restaurants with a lot of flavor and history, ideal for tourism in Zacatecas.

Zacatecas played a crucial role in 19th century Mexico, its rich silver deposits and mines made it one of the most powerful cities in the country. At that time, much of Mexico's social life passed through this city before it went to the capital or any other place. In Zacatecas were the main railroad crossings of the young nation.

What to do on a short trip to Zacatecas?

Not to be missed is the Cerro de la Bufa, a whole entertainment complex with an unbeatable view of the city, which includes the Plaza de la Revolución, a place that witnessed "The Taking of Zacatecas", the last battle of the Mexican Revolution in 1914. There, General Francisco Villa defeated Victoriano Huerta's forces, which opened the way for the revolutionary armies of the Northern Division to Mexico City. You can also visit the Museum of the Taking of Zacatecas next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Patronage.

If you walk a little you will see the Mausoleum of Illustrious Men, a Meteorological Observatory, and the Camera Obscura based on a periscope by Leonardo Da Vinci to observe the city in real-time. Why is it called Cerro de la Bufa? Centuries ago miners used "bags" to carry water into the mines. These bags were made of "pig bladders", they were very resistant; the Spaniards called them "bufas" and the hill was baptized this way because they saw the shape of a bufa.

A few steps from the Plaza de la Revolución is an exciting zip line right at the top of the hill. It is called 840 because that is the number of meters you will fly over a canyon surrounded by mines at the top of Cerro de la Bufa, with roundtrips. Thanks to a professional team and trained staff, you will have the confidence to take a ride on this zip line, ranked among the best views in Latin America.

The cable car is a gondola system that connects Cerro de la Bufa with Cerro del Grillo. It was the first cable car in Mexico, brought from Switzerland and inaugurated in 1979. It was renovated years ago, with new gondolas and sophisticated safety systems. The new cable car, now assembled by a French company, has seven cabins, one of which has a glass floor. From there you can see the whole city like a miniature model. The cable car travels a distance of 650 meters at a height of 95 meters from the city's ground floor, literally traveling over the rooftops of Zacatecas in a 5-minute ride. You can also board the cable car to reach the famous El Edén Mine and take the mining tour.

El Edén Mine

This silver mine, the most important in Zacatecas, operated for more than 400 years, from 1584 to 1960, and its greatest boom occurred between the XVII and XVIII centuries, producing enormous amounts of gold and silver. The experience begins aboard a train that descends 350 meters down the "La Esperanza" sinkhole and from there begins the tour through its different tunnels.

Here you will learn about the hard work of the miners of the different eras, the tools they used, and the rituals they used to do their work, many of these miners worked in huaraches and only wore a tall palm hat to protect their heads from the height of the mine. One cool thing is that there is a bar inside the mine: "La Mina ClubBar", which is also accessed through the tunnel "La Esperanza", this unique place in the world is open from 4 pm and on Saturdays, it is dance night.

Zacatecas at Night

The Cathedral Basilica is an imposing construction, a true architectural jewel finely carved, it is an example of the churrigueresque style of Mexico and the bonanza of the city. The cathedral is a building made of pink quarry stone and is dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, it is the most important and most visited building in the city. It is well worth a look: just by stopping for a moment in front of its façade, you can admire its Corinthian capital columns, ornate angels, and reliefs of vines. On one side of the cathedral is the Acropolis restaurant. Ask for its famous "torta de barrio", and you will love it.

Sidereal Archaeology

How many times have you turned to the sky and made a wish? What makes the sky of the city different from the sky of La Quemada Archaeological Zone? La Quemada is one of the most important pre-Hispanic sites in Mexico since centuries ago the sky and celestial bodies were studied. In this magical place, every month night walks are organized to appreciate the stars in their maximum splendor. The tour includes important explanations of the archaeological site. It is recommended to bring comfortable shoes and something to cover up for the night because the tour is long but very enjoyable.

Jerez, one of the Magical Towns of Zacatecas

Escape to the town of Jerez, named Pueblo Magico in 2007. This beautiful place is famous for being the birthplace of the poet Ramón López Velarde. A town of Chichimecay Guachichiles origin with a lot of history, the cradle of the " Zacatecas drumming ", a result of the cultural mixture of pre-Hispanic musical styles and modern instruments.

Campo Real Vinícola, Tierra Adentro Wines

Only 20 minutes from the capital city of Zacatecas is "Campo Real Vinícola", a vineyard with 60 hectares of vines in the municipality of Trancoso. On this property, you can experience a day with the Zacatecas vineyards. Fortunately for them, their lands have welcomed many varietals. Take a guided tour aboard the "ExpressoTierra Adentro" a nice little train through their grape-producing fields, and visit the areas where the wine is fermented, the barrels, and the cellars. In its Alburquerque restaurant, you can taste the wines produced in this region, accompanied by delicious dishes such as charcoal-grilled meat cuts, cheese boards, and salads.

What to eat in Zacatecas?

And we could not leave out the gastronomy of Zacatecas, which is abundant and very traditional. Here are some of the delicacies in Zacatecas so you won't miss anything: Asado de Boda, Birria zacatecana, Enchiladas zacatecanas, Tacos envenenados, Mezcal zacatecano, Tostadas de Jerez and much, much more. Now, yes, Zacatecas is waiting with open arms. May this information be of help to you in your next adventure in this dazzling destination.