Old Town and Plaza Borda

About this place

A white mountain town on steep slopes, famous for centuries for its silver mines and still Mexico's capital of silver jewellery. Its white houses with red-tiled roofs crowd the hillsides, and cobbled alleys climb and drop between small squares. At its heart is the small, shady Plaza Borda, overlooked by the pink church with its ornate Baroque towers, the town's most famous view. Around it, hundreds of shops and workshops sell handmade silver jewellery and tableware at widely varying prices. For the best view over the whole town, take the cable car from the town entrance up to the Monte Taxco hotel on the mountaintop, a short ride over the valleys, with the white houses scattered across the slopes. White Volkswagen Beetle taxis buzz through the streets, climbing the steep hills with ease. When buying silver, look for the «925» stamp marking sterling silver, and compare prices. The slopes are tiring, so wear comfortable shoes, and avoid weekend crowds.