Barbara Salsgiver
Silver jewelry from Taxco
Tucked into a scenic hillside in the state of Guerrero is one of the prettiest towns in all of Mexico—the “silver city” of Taxco. Located about 100 miles south of Mexico City, Taxco is a lovely colonial town that boasts many of the best silver shops in Mexico. The charm of Taxco’s steep, winding cobbled streets, bordered by whitewashed adobe houses with red tile roofs, attracts tourists, writers, and artists from all over the world. Its baroque-style church, la Iglesia de Santa Prisca y San Sebastián, also known as the Church of Santa Prisca, serves as the focal point of the town and contains beautiful goldleaf ornamentation.
Taxco was founded in 1529 and quickly became known for its rich silver mines. Located strategically on the trade route between Mexico City and Acapulco, Taxco served as an important stop for Spanish traders. Taxco is now considered the silver capital of Mexico.
Taxco, Mexico
Walking the streets of present-day Taxco, it seems that every building houses a silver shop. Visitors can peruse thousands and thousands of pieces of carefully crafted silver items in the shops of Taxco. From jewelry to ornaments and sculptures, Taxco’s silver is world famous.
Explore More:
If you like silver, November is a great time to visit the city of Taxco. Every November, Taxco hosts the National Silver Festival, or La Feria Nacional de la Plata. Use the Internet to explore this celebration that showcases the work of silversmiths, artisans, and craftsmen. Then create a poster, travel brochure, or PowerPoint® presentation describing the highlights of this exciting event to share with your class.