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About Taxco Mexico Travel Cierra del Sur
Mexico Travel and Vacation - Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the natives knew Taxco as “Tlachco,” which means “ball game” in Náhuatl. According to a local legend, the Aztecs demanded the inhabitants of Tlachco to pay them tribute in forms of blocks of gold. After the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521, Hernan Cortés claimed a mine in that same region which he named “Socavón del Rey.”
At the end of the century, Taxco was well known in all of Europe for its silver. Subsequently, it had become the main source of precious metals for the Spaniards in America. The mining activity eventually diminished when more accessible deposits were discovered. Taxco practically was forgotten for more than 100 years.
In 1716, Jose de la Borda discovered new silver deposits in Taxco, and made a great fortune in the mining industry. As a show of gratitude, he built the famous Cathedral of Santa Prisca, constructed between 1751 and 1758. This impressive structure is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Mexican baroque architecture because of the richness of its embellishments. Thanks to his opulence, Jose de la Borda was able to contract the best artists of the time to execute the compelling task. The magnificent façade of the temple is of great beauty. There you will find an imposing combination of columns and sculptures made in pink quarry, bordered by two elegant towers that are covered with rich Baroque ornamentation.
Between the XVII and the XIX century, Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico were responsible for 85 per cent of the world’s silver production. During the Independence War between 1810 and 1821, the Spaniards destroyed their mines to prevent their fortune from falling in the hands of the independentists. Due to this, the distinctive craft of precious metals was lost in Taxco for some time.
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