Pachuca

Hidalgo - Other Cities and Attractions

Pachuca also known as "the Windy City", is capital city of Hidalgo, it lies a very flat 90km north of Mexico City. The hills rise around the town, and grow into the spectacular Sierra Madre Oriental. The city grew due to the discovery of silver in 1534; the mines of Real del Monte at 9km northeast of the city still extract large amounts of the metal. Pachuca holds fame as the gateway for soccer, brought in by tin miners from Cornwall, England in the 19th century. Further evidence of the Cornish presence is the meat pies known as pasties (locally known as pastes).

Surrounded by majestic mountains and windy deserts, the area around Pachuca is ideal for ecotourism and adventure sports. Mountains, ravines, forests, clear streams, cliffs, reservoirs, lagoons and stunning scenery are all within close proximity of Pachuca. The south, on the other hand, is the modern part of the city, known primarily for its high industrial activity. Some of the most beautiful buildings in the area include the monastery of San Francisco, Rule House, the Monumental Clock, Hidalgo Park, the Floral Clock and the Royal Treasury.

Reloj Municipal - Municipal Clock

It was inaugurated on September 15th, 1910, exactly -it could not have been otherwise regarding a clock at eleven o'clock at night. This spectacular clock with three sections has four sides and is decorated with female marble figures by Carrara representing Independence, Freedom, Reform and the Constitution. Since then it became the keeper of the pace of the rhythm of the City.

It was constructed as homage to the first centennial of the Mexican Independence. By a decree from the authorities that intended that the chimes of the clock should be heard from all over the City, it was placed on a tower 40 metres high. Furthermore, to help to accomplish that end, the dome was covered with thick copper plaques. The tower shows a neoclassical style.