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Sierra de Organo
1st day on the colonial cities's route.
We stop in " Concordia " for its 18th century church with a baroque facade and elaborately decorated columms.
We drive on a moutain road towards " Sierra de Organo ", named for its distinctive rock formations, some of which resemble organ pipes
Zacatecas
We wake up with 4° and a cloudy sky.
The road to " Zacatecas " is monotonous through a desertic landscape.
It was first inhabtited by the indigenous zacatecos. In 1548 the spaniards founded a settlement and started gold and silver mining operations.
The city as a legacy of historical hights and lows : it was here that " Pancho Villa " defeated a stronghold of 12 000 soldiers.
Here too, thousands of indigenous slaves were forced by the spanish to toil in the mines under terrible conditions.
In 1993, Zacatecas old town has been declared cultural " World Heritage "
We spend 2 days exploring our 1st colonial town and especialy enjoy :
* El museo Rafael Coronel : Housed in the ruins of the lovely 16th century ex-convento of San Francisco, it houses mexicans folk art collection. The hightlight is the astonishing colorful display of over 3 000 masks used in traditional dances and rituals.
* La catedral : Built between 1729 and 1752, the pink stone cathedral is an ultimate expression of mexican baroque. The stupendous main facade is a wall of detailed carvings. This has been interpreted as a giant symbol of the tabernacle.
* El templo Santo Domingo : Built by the jesuits in 1740, the church was taken over by dominicans monks when the Jesuits expelled in 1767. It has some fine gilded altars and a wooden organ painted in red.
* El museo Zacatecanos : This lovely museum is devoted to " Huichol art "
(colorful pieces of embroidery)
* El museo Pedro Coronel : It is housed in a 17th century former Jesuite college. The collection includes 20th century works by Picasso, Goya, Cocteau, Chagall and Miro. There are also pre-hispanic mexican artifacts and ancient pieces from all over the world.
Mazatlan
Very nice ferry crossing despite of the rolling and the aircon on maximum.
A few whales welcome us on our arrival.
It takes 30 mn for Christophe to get the camper out of the ferry, but 1.30 h for Jean-Pierre as a pedestrian to leave the ferry...Mexican efficiency.
Nick-named " The Pearl of the Pacific ", Mazatlan was founded in 1531 by the spanish and has been american and french.
It's a habour town and one of the favorite destinations for the canadiens and americans who like the 17 km beach, the mild temperatures and its famous carnaval.
The old town is a foward thinking place rooted formaly in the past.
At his center, stands the basilica " Immacula Conception " with its high yellow twin towers and a dramatic interior.
Build in 1857, it has been devoted en 1937 to the city Patron Saint
ROAD BOOK 039
MAVROS ODYSSEE