World Heritage Identification Number: 676
World Heritage since: 1993
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇲🇽 Mexico
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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The Historic Centre of Zacatecas: A Gem of Colonial Architecture in North-Central Mexico
The Historic Centre of Zacatecas, located in the heart of the Mexican state bearing the same name, stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the region. Founded in 1546 following the discovery of a significant silver deposit, this city quickly rose to prominence as one of the most important mining centers in New Spain.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Founded in 1546 after the discovery of a rich silver lode, Zacatecas reached the height of its prosperity in the 16th and 17th centuries. Built on the steep slopes of a narrow valley, the town has breathtaking views and there are many old buildings, both religious and civil. The cathedral, built between 1730 and 1760, dominates the centre of the town. It is notable for its harmonious design and the Baroque profusion of its façades, where European and indigenous decorative elements are found side by side.
Encyclopedia Record: Zacatecas (city)
Zacatecas is the principal city within the municipality in Mexico of the same name, and the capital of the state of Zacatecas. Located in north-central Mexico, the city had its start as a Spanish mining camp in the mid-16th century. Native Americans had already known about the area's rich deposits of silver and other minerals. Due to the wealth that the mines provided, Zacatecas quickly became one of the most important mining cities in New Spain. The area saw battles during the turbulent 19th century, but the next major event was the Battle of Zacatecas during the Mexican Revolution when Francisco Villa captured the town, an event still celebrated every anniversary. Today, the colonial part of the city is a World Heritage Site, due to the Baroque and other structures built during its mining days. Mining still remains an important industry. The name Zacatecas is derived from the Zacateco people and has its roots in Nahuatl. The name means "people of the grasslands".Additional Site Details
Area: 207.72 hectares
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 22.775484 , -102.573531
Image
© Evan Prodromou at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
