Taxco de Alarcón (; usually referred to as simply Taxco) is a small city and administrative center of Taxco de Alarcón Municipality located in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Taxco is located in the north-central part of the state, from the city of Iguala, from the state capital of Chilpancingo and southwest of Mexico City.
The city is heavily associated with silver, both with the mining of it and other metals and for the crafting of it into jewelry, silverware and other items. Today, mining is no longer a mainstay of the city's economy. The city's reputation for silverwork, along with its stylish homes and surrounding landscapes, have made tourism the main economic activity.
History
thumbnail|The [[Santa Prisca Church (Taxco)|Santa Prisca Church, city cathedral]]
thumb|Statues about Good Friday Procession in Taxco
The name Taxco is most likely derived from the Nahuatl place name Tlachco, which means "place of the ballgame". However, one interpretation has the name coming from the word tatzco which means "where the father of the water is," due to the high waterfall near the town center on Atatzin Mountain. "De Alarcón" is in honor of writer Juan Ruiz de Alarcón who was a native of the town. Like many municipalities in central Mexico, the municipality's coat-of-arms is an Aztec glyph. This glyph is in the shape of a Mesoamerican ballcourt with rings, players and skulls, derived from the most likely source of Taxco's name.
Before the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico, the indigenous community known as "Taxco" was not located where the modern city is now. The name referred to a village about ten kilometers to the south, which is now referred to as Taxco El Viejo (Old Taxco). In pre-Hispanic times, this village was the most important in the area as it was the seat of the Aztec governor who presided over tribute collection in the surrounding seven districts.
Mining here began in the pre-Hispanic period with natives extracting a number of stones for decorative and ritual purposes.
Mining operations in the area during the early colonial period was carried out mostly by mining haciendas such as the Hacienda del Chorrillo and the Hacienda San Juan Bautista, established by Cortés or his knights. In the mid 18th century, José de la Borda arrived to Taxco and started more modern operations in mines called Pedregal, El Coyote, San Ignacio and Cerro Perdido. With its fame for silversmithing, tourism became a major economic force in Taxco.
Geography
Taxco is located in the north-central part of the state, 36 kilometres (22 miles) from the city of Iguala, 135 kilometres (84 miles) from the state capital of Chilpancingo and 170 kilometres (106 miles) southwest of Mexico City.
Climate
The climate in Taxco is mild, with average highs around and average lows around year-round. The dry season lasts from November to April, with rains typically occurring from June to September. Compared to 2010, the population in Taxco increased by 1.47%.
Taxco's development indicators are fairly good relative to other towns and cities in Mexico. , approximately 38% of residents aged 15 and over lacked a basic education (including 17% who did not finish primary education), and approximately 6% of residents aged 15 and over were illiterate.
Economy and transportation
thumb|Typical [[Volkswagen Beetle taxis from Taxco.]]
Silverwork and tourism related to Taxco's status as a silver town is the mainstay of the economy. Mining is no longer a major employer in the city; the last major mining operation on the outskirts of town, Industrial Minera México S.A., phased out operations beginning in 2007 due to the depletion of reserves and labor problems. Most commercial activity related to silver is the production and sale of silver jewelry, silverware and other goods.
Taxco lies along Mexican Federal Highway 95 and the toll road Mexican Federal Highway 95D. Taxco has two long-distance bus stations: the Terminal Estrella de Oro in the south and the Autobuses Estrella Blanca station in the northeast. There is no airport in Taxco. Transport within Taxco is generally by taxi, or "Kombis"—converted Volkswagen vans that serve as minibuses.
Influential silver designers
thumb|Real de Mina silver shop
Taxco was home to many influential and popular designers and silversmiths specifically in the early and mid 20th century. One of the most prominent figures in popularizing Taxco silver was the famous American artist and architect William Spratling. Spratling discovered Taxco in 1929 and was amazed by the artisanal traditions and craftsmanship employed by the local silversmiths. Prior to Spratling's arrival, Taxco was mostly a silver mining town but was not known for silver designing. He visited the nearby town of Iguala and enlisted the help of master silversmiths Artemio Navarrete, Alfonso Mondragón, and Wenceslao Herrera Spratling's first workshop was set up on Calle de Las Delicias in Taxco. Some modern day designers including Reveka Rose and AtomicDrip still employ original techniques popularized by Spratling and his students to create modern day pieces with silver sourced from Taxco. Today, over 3,000 silversmith artisans call Taxco home. This is a testament to the influence that Spratling had on making Taxco the proclaimed Silver Capital of the World.
Culture
thumb|Flagellant in Taxco Semana Santa procession
Holy Week in Taxco involves elaborate processions and ceremonies that have gained international fame. Between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, there are ten major processions, six during the evening and four during the day. Most processions are about two and a half kilometers long and take about two hours to complete. These commemorations date back to at least 1622 when they began in the atrium of the Church of the former monastery of San Bernardino de Siena. Now these processions and ceremonies center upon the Santa Prisca Church.
Maize is a staple of food in Taxco. Common dishes include pozole and tacos. Dishes distinctive of Taxco include jumiles (a type of stink bug) prepared in tacos or Mole sauce, cecina (a cured meat), plum and bean tamales, and a drink called berta (honey margarita). Criollo cheese is a local specialty.
Basketball is the most popular sport in Taxco Municipality. In the city of Taxco, there are basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, as well as soccer fields.
The town's main plaza, officially called Plaza Borda after José de la Borda, is commonly referred to as the Zócalo. On the north side of this plaza is the Casa Borda (Borda House), the most important non-religious construction in the city. The front facing the Zócalo has two stories, but the back, facing the Plaza de Bernal, has five. This is due to the uneven ground on which the house was built. Much of the house is now dedicated to the Casa de Cultura (Cultural Center) where classes in languages, fine arts and sports such as judo are taught. The rest of the main plaza is surrounded by silver shops, restaurants and bars.