PICTURED SITES ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS TEXT.

Vantage describes Mexico as a surprisingly complex nation of many cultures, ancient civilizations, and friendly people which we explored ranging from charming Spanish-colonial towns with cobbled plazas and vast complexes of pre-Columbian ruins to sophisticated cities full of culture, baroque architecture and the arts. We learned of the people's traditions through music and dance performances and museum visits.

An index of articles related to this trip can be seen at our home page: http://www.worldisround.com/home/jdtan/index.html

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Probably the best known of Mexico's silver cities, Taxco is southwest of Mexico City and 170 miles north of Acapulco. Perched on the side of a mountain at 5800 feet in elevation, the city has a population of about 100,000. The name Taxco comes from an Indian word meaning "the place where ball is played."

Winding up and down the foothills of the Sierra Madre are its cobblestone streets with white-stucco, red-tile-roofed colonial buildings. Not only has Taxco been declared a National Historical Monument, but it is also widely regarded as the silver capital of the world. There are six working mines in the vicinity, and as many as 300 silversmiths sell their wares in shops throughout town.

Three years after Cortes entered present day Mexico City, Spanish explorers discovered a wealth of minerals in the Taxco area in 1524. The first mine in the New World was established on the site of Taxco's present-day town square. After the first mines were depleted, the town stagnated for 150 years.

In 1708 mining was resumed by two Frenchmen, one of whom later found the silver vein that made him Taxco's wealthiest man. The zocalo is named Plaza Borda in his honor. Taxco's importance waned until the 1930's when a writer-architect from New Orleans, William Spratling, arrived and set up an apprentice shop for silver jewelry. His artistry with pre-Columbian designs brought Taxco world-wide attention. Many of Spratling's students and their descendants are among the 300 silversmiths now in Taxco.

The San Bernadino Convent was founded in 1592 with the construction work by Diegan friars continuing in to the 1600's. It was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1805 and rebuilt in 1823 in Neo-classical style.

The impressive Santa Prisca Church, formally known as "Iglesia de San Sebastion y Santa Prisca, borders the zocalo. Borda, the Frenchman, built the church. St. Prisca appeared to workers during a storm and prevented a church wall from falling. Soon the church was named in her honor. It has a pale pink exterior, and its facade, naves and ceilings are undergoing restoration.

Hotel Monte Taxco is a first-class hotel a few miles from the city center. Transportation up the mountain can be on a seven-minute cable car ride or by a motorized vehicle. Most rooms have a spectacular view of Taxco. Services included a pool, three restaurants, tennis courts, golf course, spa, gym, and miniature golf.