| Taxco (elevation: 5,800
feet) is Mexico's original Silver City.
In the Náhuatl
language of the Aztecs,
the town's name was derived from tlacho meaning 'the place where
ball is played.'
NATURAL WORLD
Taxco is lodged in the foot of La Bermeja mountain of the Sierra
Madre Range.
HISTORY
After the Spanish conquered the Aztec
Empire, they learned of rich mines south of Mexico
City. After Spanish explorers discovered a cache of minerals,
Taxco was founded in 1529, The city was home to the first European
mine in the Americas, Sovácon del Rey.
However, the first mines were depleted of riches and
the town limped along for nearly 200 years.
The resurection of mining took place in the 1700s
after the arrival of José de la Borda, a Frenchman of Spanish
descent. Borda opened several mines and became one of the wealthiest
people in the country. The main square in the town center is named
Plaza Borda in his honor.
Borda financed Taxco's Santa Prisca Church, whose
twin steeples tower over the main plaza. This work was completed
in 1758 and is considered one of the best examples of Churrigueresque
(Mexican baroque) architecture in the country.
20TH CENTURY
In 1928 the Mexican government made the entire city
a national monument which means that its colonial buildings cannot
be torn down or modified.
In the 1930s writer-architect William
G. Spratling arrived from New
Orleans. Enchanted by the city, he set up a silver jewlry shop
specializing in indigenous designs, many of which are still used
by the descendents of Spratling's silversmith students. His work
gave Mexican artisans the freedom to create designs in non-European
forms. Because of his influence, Spratling has been called the Father
of Mexican Silver. His house stands about 100 meters from the Plaza
Borda on Calle del Arco. It is now called the Museo Guillermo Spratling.
CRAFTS
More than 300 stores sell silver, including earrings,
necklaces and tableware. The Silver Museum (Museo de la Platería)
is located on the northeast corner of the Plaza Borda.
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