Taxco, the Town That Silver Built
Hidden in the mountains on the highway to Acapulco, is one of the oldest mining sites in the Americas, Taxco ("tas-co").
Cortes staked his mining claim in this area in 1522. By 1716 everyone believed Taxco had been mined out, when Don Jose de la Borda (a Spaniard of French descent) rediscovered silver in Taxco. He made a fortune in Taxco and in gratitude built the beautiful Santa Prisca cathedral, with gold trim, in the Spanish Baroque style popular 240 years ago.
By the 1800's Taxco's silver resources once again faded. Then, in 1926, William Spratling, a U.S. citizen and a professor from Tulane University, arrived in Taxco to study Mexico and its culture. Mr. Spratling discovered the potential local talent in the craft of silver-smithing. With his own designs, he created an apprentice system and began training young silversmiths with artistic talent. The great beauty and silver craftsmanship coming out of Taxco has earned worldwide recognition.
BETTER QUALITY IMAGES COMING AT A LATER DATE. THESE WERE TAKEN WITH MY VERY CHEAP DIGITAL CAMERA.
The steep streets of Taxco.
The dome of the Santa Prisca cathedral.
Our friends and guides for the day, Juan Morales and his fiancée Esperanza.
Stairs and steep roads everywhere.
Taxco is known for beautiful silver jewelry.
At great prices!!
Jan shopping in a very warm open-air market.
So much hand made art.
Señor Costillas says it's good!
Fish heads anyone?
Rush hour in Taxco.
This 1955 Chevy station wagon hasn't moved in 40 years!
