Read the first part here.

Taxco is located only 93 miles south of Mexico City in the state of Guerrero. The word Taxco comes from the word in Nahuatl tlachco that means ball game.  This name was used for the town known today as Old Taxco located about 6 miles from the modern Taxco. The history of Taxco goes back to the Aztec empire when they invaded the territory of the Tlahuicas. In 1445 the Aztecs made this territory  a tributary province for the empire designating a governor for it.

After la conquista the Spanish learned about the richness in minerals around Taxco and decided to found in 1529 the city in its current location because of its proximity to the minerals and its benign climate. The history of Taxco is a difficult one because it was almost forgotten for 200 years until a very important silver deposit was discovered in the 18th century by José de la Borda. And two centuries later, in 1929, the American architect William Spratling established the first silver jewelry workshop in the city boosting the industry. Taxco soon would become the Silver Capital of the World.

This picturesque Mexican destination has a lot to offer. It’s beautiful cobblestone streets, white houses with red roofs and colonial buildings make it a charming place to spend a weekend.

One of the main attractions of the city is Santa Prisca Cathedral, a beautiful temple built between 1751 and 1758. Even though I’m not a religious person, the beauty and details of this building have always bewildered me.

The main plaza is a beautiful place to sit down and enjoy an evening listening to folk music, eating ice cream, Mexican candies or any of the street foods offered there, drinking a cup of coffee in one of the restaurants or cafés or just watching people walk by (that’s what my mom likes to do).

I enjoy walking around (and up and down) the town just admiring its beauty, watching people, looking at the amazing arts and crafts and taking pictures.

And of course, a trip to any town in Mexico is not complete if you don’t visit the local markets. The municipal market of Taxco is one of my favorites because if you follow the little signs through the narrow streets, suddenly you are transported to a different world full of smells, food, and a thousand different sounds and colors without even realizing it. And once you are in, it is difficult to get out, literally.

We didn’t spend a lot of time in Taxco this time because my dad and I had to work the following day so we left before the highways became too crowded. But I brought back a lot of amazing images (I’ve always said that Mexico is a foodie’s and photographer’s paradise) and the satisfaction of visiting one my favorite places in Middle Earth, I mean Mexico. For information about trips to Taxco, accommodations, activities and tourist services please visit this website where you’ll find all you need to plan your trip to this magical town.

¡Buen provecho!