Zacatecas in Mexico has a breathtaking landscape: ornate colonial buildings, rows of colorful houses up the hills, and winding cobblestoned alleyways in between. The city is vibrant yet uncrowded. The people are friendly. I’d be happy to stay here for weeks.
Like many major Mexican cities, Zacatecas had a challenging colonization history. What made the town unique was beneath the surface: the minerals.
The region was one of the world’s largest silver-producing areas for a long time. The Spanish conquistadors forced the indigenous people to work underground and endure grueling conditions. Many died from the mines collapsing, lead poisoning, and exhaustion.
A guide at a historic mine told us that many workers often incurred massive debts. Even when an indebted worker died on the job, the mine owners would not forgive the debt. Instead, the debt would be passed on to his children, perpetuating generations of enslavement.
With the tremendous wealth from the silver production, the Spanish conquerors built lavishly and left behind the stunning architecture that remains standing today.
