Fresnillo is a mid-size city in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. The city boasts a colonial downtown core, several cultural traditions with lively local festivals, one of the largest silver mines in the world, and is an important transportation hub for central Zacatecas.
Understand
[edit]The town's modern history begins in 1551 when Spanish explorer Diego Fernández de Proaño scouted areas in Zacatecas in search of mineral wealth. In the area that would become Fresnillo he discovered a large hill with signs of silver and other valuable ores. He named the hill Cerro de Proaño. Although the viceroy was unexcited about reports of mineral finds in Fresnillo, Diego Fernández de Proaño believed the hill would hold immense reserves and he established the mine there. The community grew with the up-and-down success of the mine, which endured setbacks such as native Indian attacks in its early years, financial troubles in the colonial era, and political indifference by the Spanish crown as to its fate.
In the modern era, Fresnillo has been severely affected by violence surrounding drug cartel activity in the state.
Get in
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The nearest airport with commercial flights is Zacatecas International Airport (ZCL IATA), about 1 hour by taxi from Fresnillo.
By bus
[edit]From the main bus station in Zacatecas, Chihuahenses buses leave every 30 minutes for Fresnillo. Prices for the 55-minute trip start at M$200 (Feb 2024).
- 1 Central de Autobuses (Bus station), Durango 402. Older bus terminal that has a reputation for being dirty with poor maintenance, though it is an important transportation hub with frequent departures to Zacatecas and other cities in the region. The station is unique in its prominent displays of several Mexican historical murals.
By car
[edit]From Zacatecas, Fresnillo is 45 minutes northwest on federal highway MEX-45.
Get around
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Taxi is the best way to get around in Fresnillo, but for safety reasons, call a taxi to your home or hotel and have someone take note of its plates and ID number. A growing number of mototaxis are seen in Fresnillo, though rather than custom built vehicles, they are often trailers attached to a regular motorcycle.
See
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- 1 Templo del Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart Church), Calle Felipe Carrillo Puerto 106. Beautiful colonial era church filled with iconic statuary and featuring a cupola lined with stained glass windows of the cross.
- 2 Mina Proaño. One of the world's largest silver mines, the mine at Fresnillo traces its history back to 1550. Tours are available.
- 3 Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Purificación (Church of Our Lady of Purification), Calle Juan de Tolosa, Centro. Colonial era church with neoclassical interior and gothic exterior featuring a large single main bell tower.
- Santuario de Plateros, Plateros. Church in the village of Plateros, 5 km from downtown Fresnillo. The church is home to a silver relic called the Holy Child of Atocha that is believed to perform miracles.
- 4 Museo de Minería Napoleón Gómez Sada (Mining Museum), Av. Hidalgo. M-F 09:00 - 20:00, Sa 10:00 - 14:00, closed Su. Regional history museum that tells the story of mining in Fresnillo. Large machinery pieces are integrated into the museum's interior architecture giving it an air of authenticity. The museum features 6 exhibition galleries and includes a historical reference library. Free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Parque Los Jales. Ecological park on the south side of the city that is habitat for more than 100 species of birds and reptiles, developed by the mining company. Walking trails and lakes with paddleboats. The lakes were originally tailings ponds from the mine.
Buy
[edit]Fresnillo has three large traditional marketplaces, the traditional main market in the city center, one on the east side of town and one on the west side of town. There are also several tianguis (like a farmers market that takes place only on certain days of the week).
- 1 Mercado Hidalgo, Av. Hidalgo 102. Daily 07:00 - 16:00. Large central marketplace with vendors selling fruits and vegetables as well as juices and regional prepared foods including birria and Chinese food. Vendors sell household items and artesanias. Excellent place for an inexpensive breakfast.
- 2 Mercado Poniente, Av. Enrique Estrada, ☏ +52 493 103 1984. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Clean, spacious marketplace with vendors selling fruits and vegetables as well as juices and regional prepared foods.
- 3 Mercado Oriente, &, Calle Ébano & Calle Duranguito, Centro. Daily 09:00 - 19:00. Spacious marketplace with vendors selling fruits and vegetables as well as juices and regional prepared foods. Courtyard with outdoor tables to eat.
Eat
[edit]- 1 El Viejo Mercado, García de La Cadena 18, Centro, ☏ +52 493 932 8584. Daily 08:00 - 21:00. Traditional Mexican restaurant with comfortable ambience and tasty regional dishes. M$250.
- 2 Lapa & Lapa, Av M. Hidalgo 329, Centro, ☏ +52 493 688 0161. Daily 08:00 - 22:00. Casual restaurant with light fare including sandwiches, paninis and wraps. M$200.
- 3 Miura, Priv. Libertad 603-649, Centro. Daily 14:00 - 22:00. Good steaks on the grill, mediocre pizza, bad music. M$350.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel del Fresno, Av. Hidalgo 109 Sur, ☏ +52 493 932 1120. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 13:00. Moderate hotel with on-site restaurant. Parking available (2 blocks away from hotel). M$1400 (Feb 2024).
- 2 Hotel Casa Blanca, Av. García Salinas Ote. 503, Centro, ☏ +52 493 932 0014. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Centrally located moderate hotel with clean, basic rooms. Tasty buffet breakfast.
- 3 Hotel Casa Josefa, Circuitos, Técnicos, Del Fresno, Tecnologica, ☏ +52 493 157 2845. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern boutique hotel with off-street parking and laundry available. Difficult self-check-in process reflects generally poor service (good luck if something goes wrong). M$1000 (Feb 2024).
- 4 Avid Hotel, Paseo del Mineral 105, Emiliano Zapata, ☏ +52 493 122 8200. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, modern chain hotel in a residential-commercial area. M$1500 (Feb 2024).
Connect
[edit]Fresnillo is a well-connected city with fast internet in most businesses, including hotels and restaurants. Cell coverage is good throughout the city with 5G coverage in almost all the city. Coverage becomes spotty or can drop if you get into rural areas outside the core city.