​​​​Lost Paradises -  North and Central Americas

MEXICO - Taxco

Taxco de Alarcón, called simply Taxco, is located in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Taxco is located 170 kilometres (106 miles) southwest of Mexico City. In 1521, a Spanish expedition commissioned by Hernan Cortes sent a group of soldiers to search for tin in order to combine with copper to produce military canons. The expedition returned with some mineral samples that appeared and were believed to be tin. After testing the light-colored metal, they discovered that it was the precious metal silver.
The city's reputation for silverwork, along with its narrow streets, picturesque homes and surrounding landscapes, have made tourism the main economic activity. The Church of Santa Prisca, along with its towers built in pink stone and its dome covered with polychrome tiles was included in 2001 on Mexico’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage inscription.