Diario las Américas., 1958-07-10
thy
Neighbor
Bo ANTONIO RUIZ

MEXICO - In the 18th. century,
the. proud city of Tenochtltlan,
capital of the vast Aztec Empire
located up on a large plateau, had
fallen before the onSlaughts OF the
Spanish conquerorS. 1t had not
been an easy conquest, and during
the fierce battles which had rag
ed, the Spaniards lost much OF
their equipment. Learning of the
tin deposits south of Tenochtit-
Ian, Herman Cortes sent one OF
his men to search for those mines.
Early chroniclers say CorteS had
five pieces of cannon made with
taxco tin. but then promptly for
got about the tin deposits upon
discovering the rich silver mines
of that district.
The knowledge of the location
of the tin mines became dimmed
with time and forgotten, but the
surrounding mountains continued
to yield silver Gre in abundance.
From the sleepy village of Tlach-
co, hidden by heavy tropical
growth and situated alongside a
rushing stream, came the natives
to work in the silver mines under
the supervision of Spanish over
seers. Where the silver deposits
were richest on the slopes of a
nearly mountain, the Spaniards
founded a town which they named
Taxco, after the little Indian vii.
lage in the valley below. With
time it became n of the great.
est silver producing centers of
New Spain.
Today Taxco's most important
source of wealth is no longer un-
der the ground, rather above it.
Built in 18th. century style, posses
ing a marked Moorish influence,
the town retains all of its ancient
picturesque characteristics, and
sprawls over the side of the mount
ain on the site of the first mines.
Splitting into a deep ravine, it
spreads in all directions regard
less of terrain and difficulty of
approach. Its req tile rooted hou-
ses cling precariously to steep in
clines in what appears to be COM
plete disorder. Up and down mar
row lanes climb natives, bringing
their produce, pushing and coaz
ing heavy laden burros. Up and
down other streets roll the latest
model automobiles. Everywhere
there is color, charm, and utter
contrast.
Located deep in the heart of the
State of Guerrero, Taxco is a
source of unending interest to his.
torianS, artists, photographers and
writer's Here fingers the charm
OF the 18th and 18th centuries, un.
changed by the march of time.
AS the highway sweeps, along
the sides of high cliffs and deep
ravines, it passes under an an
Gent aqueduct. Below, in a gully, is
what remains OF an old hacienda.
High above on the slope of a hill,
are the shaft and mill of a mining
company Topping the ridge stands
a modern hotel and off in the dis.
lance, is a little chapel on a knoll,
silhuetted against the sky, reflect.
ing the RAYS of the sun - a sym.
Dol OF Christianity's conquest. As
the highway makes a sharp turn,
a breathtaking panorama of Tax.
co comes into view.
A cobblestone road leads pre-.
abreath taking panorama of Tax.
co comes into view.
A c0bblestOne road leads pre-.
cariously up a steep incline into
the center of the picturesque town,
The traditional plaza is thanked on
one side by the Parish Church,
the famous Santa Prisca, with its
magnificent facade and beautiful
towers. From the plaza branch
numerous narrow streets and lanes
the principal one lined on both
sides by silver shops and stores
displaying all kinds of regional
handycrafts.
Continued tomorrow
Spanish Varcinn pooa q