CULTURAL TOURISM IN SITES OF MINING HERITAGE
Mineral de la Reforma municipality is also close to Pachuca, only a few people know that this mining place is probably the oldest one of the district, this fact is maybe unknown because this place most important development and history correspond to the first half of the 20th century. La Blanca, Santa Gertrudis and Dos Carlos mining companies had their facilities here; the last two mines became the first mining cooperatives of the country in the 1930’s. These businesses, together with Real del Monte Company financed the construction of the Monumental Clock of Pachuca in 1908. Some of their workers formed the first soccer team in Mexico in 1902.
In La Reforma town, located 9 km. from Pachuca and where most mining vestiges are concentrated starts the tourist circuit known as Mountain Corridor. It is easy to arrive to this place through the Pachuca-Real del Monte road. Mines and ore processing plants vestiges located in Mineral de La Reforma towns are surrounded by a very amazing landscape; here visitors feel that they can touch the sky with their hands while the clouds go down the mountains towards Pachuca. Those who want to revive the experiences of miners, who walked those paths long time ago, and see closely mining dumps, shafts and the landscape, can walk or bike the old “camino real” path that also goes to Real del Monte.
The important demographic growth of this municipality, that in 2005 had already 68,704 inhabitants, is related to the urban development of both places, separated just by one street in several points. Pachuquilla, seat of the municipal government of Mineral de La Reforma, is famous for its gastronomy, several dishes are offered to visitors, such as: lamb cooked underground, pork meat, chinicuiles (red worms), escamoles (ant eggs) and pulque (an alcoholic drink made with maguey plant), this town is located 7.5 Km. from Pachuca, taking Pachuca-Tulancingo highway. There is public transportation towards all these places.
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Archive photos AHMMAC, contemporary photos Marco Antonio Hernández, © Copyright All rights reserved.