Approaching Zacatecas you sweep down into a canyon and drive under the lofty arches of an ancient stone aqueduct dating back to the 1700s. At one time Zacatecas was one of Mexico's most difficult cities for the motorist to negotiate, but now a divided boulevard by passes the town and drivers no longer have to experience the annoying sensation of rattling along the narrow cobblestone streets.
This sloping townsite is 8,200 feet above sea level. Parts of town are so steep that instead of streets, stone steps climb the canyon walls. The faint pinkish cast radiated by Zacatecas is the cumulative result of the local sandstone used in most of the buildings. The town has a magnificent cathedral whose huge facade is intricately and meticulously carved; its vaulted interior is supported with stalwart stone columns. The marble altar testifies to its Italian origin.
A favorite attraction in Zacatecas is the intriguing summit of Cerro de la Bufa, a mountain northeast of the city. A blacktop road has been built to the top of "La Bufa," where there's an ancient chapel (1728) and a demure plaza. The view from atop "La Bufa" provides an all encompassing panorama of the surrounding countryside. The road to the summit starts near the university at the south end of town; ample parking is available.
Approaching Zacatecas you sweep down into a canyon and drive under the lofty arches of an ancient stone aqueduct dating back to the 1700s. At one time Zacatecas was one of Mexico's most difficult cities for the motorist to negotiate, but now a divided boulevard by passes the town and drivers no longer have to experience the annoying sensation of rattling along the narrow cobblestone streets.
A favorite attraction in Zacatecas is the intriguing summit of Cerro de la Bufa, a mountain northeast of the city. A blacktop road has been built to the top of "La Bufa," where there's an ancient chapel (1728) and a demure plaza. The view from atop "La Bufa" provides an all encompassing panorama of the surrounding countryside. The road to the summit starts near the university at the south end of town; ample parking is available.
