Fresnillo

The History of Fresnillo

The history of its foundation begins with a raid that Diego made Fernandez of Proyear in the region of Zacatecas, the search of new mines and specifically of an enormous hill, supposedly everything of same metal that when saying of the natural ones, was to the wind of the north, inland, do not locate it, but however they find another hill to baptize with his nombre:"Cerro of Pro-año".

When arriving at the place which we know with the name "Cerro Proaño" discovers to earth flower mineral evidences, to its return to Zacatecas reports to the Virrey its finding, but apparently there was not much interest by his discovery and the Hill of Proyear is forgotten during some years.

One second expedition headed by a young person of 15 years called Francisco de Ibarra arrives day 2 of September from 1554 to a place where was a water spring fresh, in whose border was a "Pequeño Fresno(SMALL ASH)" and indeed they decided there to spend the night, as it were the custom Francisco de Ibarra in his daily binnacle writes down in his registries the fact and it puts to him by name to the place where they spend the night "OJO DE AGUA DEL FRESNILLO (WATER EYE Of the FRESNILLO)".

The Shield amrs of Fresnillo

In the high part of the trimming it says in Latin: "Orat Atque Ab Condita Large city", That translated the Castilian means: "a Town that Works and Pray from its Foundation", in the low part say, "Real of Minas of the Fresnillo(Royal Mine of Fresnillo)", and to the center, In one bar says: "2 of September of 1554".

The Shield is divided in three boxes: First in the left superior part, she appears the virgin of the Candlemas, Pattern of Fresnillo, that is identified to have a candle in the right hand. In the other box, in the right superior part, rodela or shield is one, and the arms used by the natives and the Spaniards in Conquista. In the inferior part, in the third box, it appears a spring, in whose margin there is an Ash, having like bottom the Hill of Proyear and some clouds, symbolizing the rainy month of September. "2 of September of 1554".

Today

Fresnillo is the second largest and most populated city in Zacatecas, Mexico. Its population is about 75,1186 estimated. (1990 EST.)

It is the location of religious pilgrimages to see the famous Niño de Atocha ("Child of Atocha"), a Roman Catholic devotional statue brought to Mexico from Spain.