- Andariega
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 5
- Reviews
-
78
- Photos
Editor Pick
La Quemada
Believed to be the mythic place where Aztecs remained 9 years previously to entering the Valle de México (today Mexico City). All there is for us to research, today, is a group of columns, an observatory and a few other buildings made of stone, suggesting the existence of a much larger city. Known as "the door of civilization", La Quemada is named "the Burnt place" as it is believed it actually burnt around the year 1100. A wall, four meters high and four meters wide, stands as evidence of a Citadel, or a Refuge that could have been home to the last Teotihuacans.
When Spaniards set foot in the region, people living in the area were Caxcanes and Chichimecas. It is believed "chichimeca" translates into "uncivilized", a name congruent with the legend naming La Quemada "the door of civilization". Had Caxcanes and Chichimecas resisted the presence of either Teotihuacanos or Aztecas, the wall, the citadel, the monumental nature of the place, seems partially explained.
Have you been to Montezuma's Castle and Well in Arizona, located between Flagstaff and Phoenix at Camp Verde? This may just be another piece of that same puzzle or toozigoot (variegated way). One day, I would love to undertake the trip, by foot, from Camp Verde to La Quemada. It would be a nice way to sense the experience of migration, South bound.
From journal Chicomostoc/La Quemada
Quema de Judas
Burning of Judas is an Easter tradition. People gather at a central spot and effigies of Judas are burnt, publicly. Though it seems planned by the city, it is not. In Zacatecas, it is organized by a group of communicators who help promote themselves to attract tourism (a local radio station -Estereo Plata- leads the way). The rest is the product of collective imagination. The will of the burnt “Judas”, usually a politician, is read to symbolize the deeds he will have to accomplish while in Purgatory. The will consists of last minute repentance instructions. Everybody pokes fun at this otherwise cryptic tradition originating in Orthodox Catholicism. A more festive Burning of the Judas takes place in Jerez, same day, Easter Saturday. Jerez is only an hour from Zacatecas. You may even attend both, in the same trip.
Wake up early so you can secure a good place from which to enjoy this event. If you arrive late you will be too far away to hear the reading of the wills. The various businesses hang gifts alongside the Effigies, so when they burn the gifts fall for the crowd to catch.
From journal La Quema de Judas
La Bufa
At 2,700 meters, La Bufa is a vantage point, a place from which you can enjoy the sight of one of the most fascinating cities. Zacatecas represents a time of wealth and dreams. It stood as the point from which the Spaniards started their expansion to the North.
La Iglesia del Patrocinio is not like the city's cathedral; instead, it is small, simple, and peaceful.
From journal Zacatecas
Editor Pick
Mercado Gonzalez Ortega
- February 25, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Andariega from Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico
The officials of Zacatecas decided the city market needed to be more dignified, something befitting such a beautiful and wealthy place. The Mercado Gonzalez Ortega was built in 1886, of cantera, the local pink stone, and beautifully detailed in cast iron. I have read that the style of building is Porfirian, or French neoclassic, but in a pamphlet distributed by the tourist office it is described as Zacatecan eclectic; I think this suites it best.
The market originally had three stories, but in 1901, the third story caught fire and was never replaced. The building functioned as the city market until 1982 when it was changed into the shopping center it is now, still called the Mercado Gonzalez Ortega.
On the ground floor, in what used to be a storage room for the market, is a wonderful restaurant, La Cantera Musical. It offers an assortment of Mexican food but specializes in dishes specific to Zacatecas. The food is tasty, the service attentive and the atmosphere comfortable and entertaining. We had eaten dinner here and decided to check out the stores above.
Upstairs is where all the stores are and is also where the ironwork is apparent. The painted ceilings are high, held up by iron pillars, and there are wrought iron and glass skylights. The building was still open even though, fortunately, the stores were all closed. We window shopped. Many stores carried a mishmash of things, mostly run of the mill Mexican crafts and clothing with quite a bit of jewelry, crosses, and rosary beads apparent. One of the larger stores, a wedding store, seemed to specialize in tacky bride and ultra tacky bride's maid dresses. Another store carried stuffed animals and school supplies. We saw nothing we would have wanted to buy even if we could have. Maybe the good stuff was not in view of the windows.
At the end of the building, under some hanging lamps, was an old buggy, where people were having a fun time having their pictures taken. We wandered closer but found no signs stating its history. I have no idea if the cart had some significance to the place, or if it was just a decoration.
Mercado Gonzalez Ortega is located on Hidalgo and also on Tacuba. To get to the shopping area you approach from Hidalgo. To get to the restaurants below you come in from Tacuba. It is open daily from 10am to 9pm although apparently the stores sometimes close earlier.
From journal The Pink City
Editor Pick
The Palacios
- February 25, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Andariega from Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico
Palacio de Gobierno
Originally built in 1727 or the late 17th century, depending on the source, the Palacio de Gobierno is one of the few examples left in town of civil baroque architecture from the colonial era. It was built for two rich colonial families but was eventually sold to the government in 1834 and has since housed the state executive powers.
Inside is a beautiful mural painted by Antonio Pintor Rodriguez depicting Zacatecas from pre-Hispanic times through the present. Besides fantastic painting the mural also incorporates sculptures made of the local pink stone so prevalent in town. When we visited there was a man who accompanied us and explained the mural to us. Guides are not always available but the mural is much more interesting when explained.
The Palacio de Gobierno, located at Avenida Hidalgo 604, on the Plaza de Armas, is open daily from 9am to 9pm. It takes about fifteen minutes to see, twice as long when accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Admission free. Our guide worked for tips.
Palacio de la Mala Noche
The Palacio de la Mala Noche was built for Miguel de Retegui, a Basque miner, in the mid 18th century. Its name translates to the palace of the bad night. Legend has it the owner, completely broke due to mining ventures, gave away his last few cents and spent what he thought was the last night in his beautiful home only to awake and find he was once again a rich man. One of his mines had come through for him.
After Independence the state took the palace. It housed the local congress for a long time and now belongs to the state judicial powers.
The Palacio de la Mala Noche is a beautiful example of what one would expect of a mine owners home in the 18th century. There are colonnades, plenty of arches, balconies, wrought iron railings, high ceilings and lots of carved pink stone. It is lovely. There is a mural, called Temis, along a stairway, painted by local artist Ismael Martinez Guardado. Appropriate to the buildings present use, it depicts mostly things to do with justice.
The Palacio de la Mala Noche, or Palacio de Poder Judicial, is located on the Plaza de Armas, close to the Palacio de Gobierno. It is open daily, supposedly from 9am to 9pm. It takes about fifteen or twenty minutes to see. Admission free.
From journal The Pink City