A little over an hour from Mexico City lies the compelling colonial hilltop town of Taxco, the centre for Mexican silver craftsmen. Along its winding cobblestone streets inside the whitewashed buildings hundreds of craftsmen create a mind boggling collection of silver items.
Jewellery is naturally the main attraction but in addition you will find massive silver urns, large platters, bowls and even animal figures like Jaguar's and Eagles. In one large showroom we were shown a silver crucifix around 1 metre high which we were told so impressed the Pope during his visit that he ordered one for the Vatican. The owner was so flattered that he donated it to the Vatican (value around $20,000) and made a replica to display for visitors to his shop.
Walking up the winding streets to the top of the town you reach a magnificent church Santa Prisca.
The man was Jose de La Borda a Frenchman who had moved to Mexico to make his fortune in Silver. 'God gives to Borda, so Borda gives to God' Borda declared after making his fortune from the silver mines in the hills around the town. With permission from the Catholic church he single handedly financed and oversaw the entire project. He employed the finest craftsmen from France and Spain and after a ten years the church was finally consecrated in 1759 and the first priest was none other than Borda's son. It is said that Borda wanted his son near him and this was one way he could be assured that this would be the case.
The church is one of the finest examples of Mexican baroque architecture and houses 12 towering and intricately carved and gilded altars with amazing detail and intricacy depicting hierarchical religious content.
In November of each year Taxco honours its source of wealth with the famous Feria Nacionale de La Plata (Silver Fair) when craftsmen, artists and silversmiths show their creations.
