Taxco
Artworks inspired by this location
 Hard
on the legs, but easy on the eyes, Taxco is known far and wide as one
of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. An old silver-mining town nestled
in the gorgeous mountains of Guerrero state, Taxco is now a national
historical monument. It's twisting, roller-coaster streets are lined
with beautiful colonial architecture of white stucco with red trim and
traditional orange and brown Mexican tile roofs. Though silver mining
barely goes on here anymore, silver is still the main staple of the
economy, as hundreds of silver shops sell handmade jewelry and artifacts
to eager tourists.
Truth be told, there isn't a lot to do in Taxco, except
walk the streets and browse the shops, but you don't mind, because the
city is so darn beautiful. At the center of town is the Plaza Borda,
a small but active zócalo. Here stands the impressive Templo
de Santa Prisca, a lovely baroque cathedral of pink stone, constructed
in the 18th century. There isn't a lot of entertainment going on in
the Plaza Borda at night, but it's still the social center of the city,
packed with people, as are the surrounding restaurants and bars.
The few small museums in Taxco really aren't worth visiting.
Do yourself a favor and take a teleférico (a little cable car)
up to the top of Monte Taxco and admire the spectacular overhead view
of the city and the surrounding mountains. Another beautiful site to
see is the Posada de la Misión. This is an expensive hotel housed
in an old mission. You don't have to stay there to enjoy wandering through
its lovely grounds.
Taxco does have its drawbacks. You will get tired tramping
up and down the steep cobblestone streets, and the toxic levels of car
exhaust don't help matters. The streets are very narrow, walled on both
sides, and Taxco is easily the city in Mexico where you are most likely
to get hit by a car. You can't beat the beauty of this town, however,
and if you're in the neighborhood you'd be a fool to miss it.
Plaza Borda
Templo de Santa Prisca
View from Monte Taxco
Shrine to the Virgin, on the grounds of the Posada de
la Misión
(Above and below) The swimming pool at the Posada de
la Misión features a stone mosaic mural by the great Mexican
artist Juan O'Gorman. The mural, completed in 1956, is a tribute to
the Axtec Emperor Cuauthémoc.
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