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Discover the Charm: Top 7 Fun Facts about Zacatecas, Mexico You Never Knew

illustration of zacatecas-mexico
Get ready to be amazed as you dive into the mesmerizing world of Zacatecas, Mexico, because these quirky tidbits of trivia are sure to add some extra spice to your fact-filled fiesta!

1. Silver-Soaked City

In a place where silver linings were more than just a metaphor, Zacatecas was busy making it rain pesos with its shiny, metallic goodness: This Mexican town once flourished as a major center for silver production during the 16th and 17th centuries, boasting a beautiful historic center filled with a blend of European and indigenous Baroque architecture, including a jaw-dropping cathedral built between 1730 and 1760.
Source => whc.unesco.org

2. Year-Round Fiesta Central

If you thought your family's annual reunion was an event to remember, just imagine an entire Mexican state throwing one: In Zacatecas, they love a good celebration so much that there are countless fiestas happening throughout the year, such as the Fiesta of the Papapquis, Fiestas del Niño de las Palomitas, and Morismos Del Bracho! In addition, the National Fair of Zacatecas each September ensures that visitors from all across the country gather to share their love of culture, food, music, and games.
Source => explorandomexico.com

3. UNESCO Star of Mexico

Say hola to the Silver Screen star of Mexico: not an actress, but a city! Zacatecas wows its audience with its Oscar-worthy performance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Standing ovations are earned by its beautifully preserved historic center, a showcase of stunning colonial architecture, opulent churches, and mansions that have been thrilling visitors for centuries. Take a tour behind the scenes and discover the state's rich mining history at its museums. Lights, camera, action: this leading role played by Zacatecas just never gets old!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Cathedral's Gilded Throne

Step aside, Game of Thrones: Zacatecas's Cathedral has a real-life "gilded throne" fit for royalty, and it didn't even involve any dragons! This Mexican goldmine of a church boasts a 24-carat gold, 20-ton altar: Crafted by artist Javier Marín from Finnish birch wood, the Cathedral of Zacatecas features an amalgamation of Churrigueresque, New Spanish Baroque, and Neoclassical architectural styles, which took over 120 years to perfect before its 1752 consecration.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Magical Culinary Transformation

5. Magical Culinary Transformation

In a twist only the magical realism of Latin America could provide, the humble lamb and goat in Zacatecas secretly conspire to magically transform into the star of local cuisine, diving headfirst into a chile jacuzzi of flavor only to emerge in a world where the Spanish Empire's legacy lives on: In Zacatecas, Mexico, the Mercado Arroyo de la Plata offers a mouthwatering taste of the city's history through the famous family-made birria, a lamb or goat stew infused with a legacy of 50 years of rich chile flavor, tender meat, and connections to the once-lucrative silver mining industry.
Source => saltdaze.com

6. The Sound of Battle Reenactments

When the hills come alive with the sound of Moors and Christians battling it out, you know it's that time of the year in Zacatecas: Every last weekend of August, thousands of locals dress up and re-enact ancient Spanish battles during the three-day Las Morismas de Bracho event, featuring music, dance, parades, and a dramatic human cross formation right before the final showdown, all culminating in a lively state fair with even more festivities.
Source => travelweekly.com

7. Pancho Villa's Horse's Workout

If Pancho Villa's horse had a Fitbit, it would have recorded some serious steps on that fateful day in Zacatecas: The 1914 Battle of Zacatecas was a pivotal moment in the Mexican Revolution, where Villa's División del Norte emerged victorious over General Luis Medina Barrón's federal troops, ultimately leading to President Victoriano Huerta's resignation and the dawn of a new era in Mexican history.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

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