Hidalgo State is known historically for its rich mining reserves, particularly silver. Exploited for hundreds of years by the Spanish, eventually a group of British miners migrated from Cornwall, England to introduce what was then state-of-the-art technology to the industry. They left their mark by not only modernizing this important sector, but also for introducing soccer and pasties (a meat pie or turnover that was easy for them to take down into the mines for lunch) into Mexico.
Real del Monte has been classified a Magical Town by the federal government given its quaint setting. We will visit a mine-museum and the British cemetery where the migrant workers were laid to rest in Mexico. Prince Charles came to pay his respects when he visited Mexico in 2014, after all, his wife is the Duchess of Cornwall! In fact, before we head over to the Basaltic Prisms – a natural wonder – we will stop at the Pasty Museum to taste the Mexican version of this British snack, stuffed with purely Mexican fillings such as mole and rajas.
The Basaltic Prisms, 150-feet-tall columns of basalt rock formed millions of years ago when a lava explosion came into contact with the cold waters of the river in the Santa Maria Regla Gorge/Gully, will leave you speechless. The only other site comparable to this in the world is a similar formation found in Northern Ireland.
This is a day trip. We can arrange transportation if necessary.