Zacatecas, Administrative division in Central Mexico
Zacatecas is the capital of the state bearing the same name in central Mexico, sitting at around 2440 meters elevation. The city spreads across several hills and narrow valleys filled with pink stone buildings and winding lanes.
The settlement began in 1546 after Spanish conquistadors discovered rich silver deposits and quickly grew into one of the most important mining centers of New Spain. In 1914, the city witnessed a decisive battle during the Mexican Revolution that changed the course of the conflict.
The name derives from Nahuatl and means
The high altitude means cool nights even in summer, so pack a jacket and take time to adjust to the thinner air. Many streets climb steeply and cobblestones can be slippery, so comfortable shoes with good grip are helpful.
An underground mine tunnel has been converted into a walkable museum route that takes visitors through former working shafts beneath the city center. The entrances emerge directly from residential buildings and plazas at several points, linking the surface with the mining past below.
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