Sombrerete, Zacatecas 5.95

Sombrerete is a town and municipality located in the northwest of the Mexican state of Zacatecas, bordering the state of Durango. It was founded as a mining center and this activity remains important to this day, along with agriculture and ranching.The townThe town of Sombrerete maintains its colonial era layout with wide streets that connect small streets and alleys dotted with plazas. The main plaza is surrounded by the government building. The Diezmo stream cuts to town in two.It also maintains many of its colonial era monumental constructions. The largest of these is the San Mateo monastery complex, which includes a church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi (Third Order). The monastery was constructed in the 16th century and was the main religious center for the region until the 19th century. The main church has a main altar made of gold-plated wood. There are also sanctuaries dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, the Holy Cross, Saint Peter and Our Lady of Guadalupe all constructed in the 18th century.The Santo Domingo Church, begun in the 18th century, was one of twenty two constructed in the state by Count Fernando de la Campo, along with the Santuario de Plateros. It is Baroque with the interior containing valuable religious art. It is also the final resting place of the count. Next to it is the Santa Rosa Monastery and in front is a public garden.The San Juan Bautista Church dates from 1777. Its facade is Baroque with three levels decorated with niches, sculptures and gargoyles. The interior contains a number of valuable paintings along with a main altar topped by an imaged of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. In its atrium, there is a bust of Benito Juárez.