Historic places in Zacatecas

Historic places in Zacatecas

1. See

   Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas

   Catedral Basílica de la Asunción de María de Zacatecas

   One of the most beautiful examples of Churrigueresque arquitecture in Mexico. It is an elaborately carved red-stone (cantera) structure that was built between 1730 and 1760. It is flanked by two towers with an exuberant ornamentation and has a notable facade that was richly sculpted but its once decorated interior was looted during the civil wars of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its coupula was reconstructed in 1836 and imitates that one of the church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto in Mexico City.

   Mon-Sat 06:30-20:00 Sun 06:30-21:45

2. See

   Ex Templo de San Agustín

   Exconvento de San Augustín

   A former monastery from the 17th century. The main church is now used for conferences and cultural events; the monastery still houses the bishop's offices.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00

3. See

   La Quemada

   Archeological ruins of mysterious origin. There is an on-site museum that provides a panoramic view of the ruins.

   09:00-17:00 daily·M$70

4. See

   Mausoleo de las Personas Ilustres de Zacatecas

   Mausoleum of the Illustrious Persons of Zacatecas

   Nothing very exciting about this structure unless you are extremely interested in researching the history of the city, but since you are up there why not spend a few minutes here?

5. Do

   Mina El Edén

   This old silver mine in downtown Zacatecas closed in 1960 and was re-opened as a historical site and museum in the mid-1970s. The tourist facilities were extensively updated in the mid 2000s and today El Eden is Mexico's largest and most popular mine tour. You can go into some of the mine shafts where there are depictions of mining activities and an underground mining train. There's an on-site nightclub that's open on weekends and a big rocks and minerals museum featuring a collection donated by Juan Manuel Navarro. If there's ever a cave-in, don't count on Superman to come save you — the museum has a kryptonite display!

   10:00-18:00 daily·M$150 adults, M$80 under 11 years old, M$120 students, M$80 seniors

6. See

   Museo Zacatecano

   Casa de Moneda

   A museum located across the street from San Augustín with exhibitions all about Zacatecas, notable residents and its long history. Of note is a large section of exhibits, crafts, and other artifacts belonging to the Huichol culture, whose members still maintain a pre-Columbian lifestyle in the mountains between Zacatecas and Nayarit.

   Wed-Mon 10:00-17:00·M$30

7. See

   Museum of Guadalupe

   Museo de Guadalupe

   Occupies the Franciscan monastery from which missionaries were sent out to Christianize the inhabitants of Texas, New Mexico, and California – it was the mother of the Spanish missions in the United States. Much of the old monastery is a museum of colonial religious art, paintings by Indians trained in the European tradition. The paintings are amazing, and the architecture of the cloisters, the church and the Capilla de Napoli is unforgettable.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00·M$65

8. See

   Plaza de Armas

   The square beside the Cathedral, interesting murals inside the government buildings, such as the Palacio de Gobierno.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Zacatecas (CC BY-SA 4.0).