Copala

About

Copala was founded by the Spanish in 1565 as a base for mining the area's rich silver deposits, and named after the mythical city of gold its founded had been searching for in northern Mexico. Mining made Copala one of the region's wealthiest towns in the 19th century, but declining production coupled with declining prices all but destroyed its economy in the 20th century. The town has largely been forgotten by the modern age (it didn't even get electricity until 1979), making it a great place to stroll through the past. The uneven cobbled streets are lined with centuries-old adobe homes, painted in vibrant colors, and often accented by planters overflowing with magenta bougainvillea. Standing on a hilltop overlooking the town is its main landmark: the uniquely asymmetric 18th century church, which is a beautiful example of colonial Baroque architecture.