Taxco

The town of Taxco, in the northern part of the state of Guerrero, south-central Mexico. A centre for silver mining since before the Spanish settled in 1528, Taxco is still the heart of silverworking in the western hemisphere. With its abundant churches and steep cobbled streets, the city is now a national monument.

Town in the state of Guerrero in southern Mexico, 97 km/60 mi south of Mexico City; population (1995) 95,100. Lying at an altitude of 1,728m/5,669 ft, with mountain peaks towering over it, the town was the site of an Aztec community before the Spanish conquered it in 1531. Taxco lies in the ravines formed by seven hills; one of these, Bermeja Hill, is the location of what was known as the ‘King's Shaft’, supposedly the oldest mine in the continent. Silver, copper, zinc, lead, and fluorite are mined nearby. Tourism is an important part of the town's economy.

For many years Taxco was referred to as the ‘Silver City’ because it was the centre for the most skilled silversmiths in the country. Taxco has many churches and colonial period buildings of architectural interest. The town is a national monument and modern building is restricted. The double-towered parish church of Santa Prisca is one of the best examples of baroque architecture in Mexico. It was built by José de la Borda, who made his fortune in the town in the 18th century.