Bufa Hill orEl Cerro de la Bufa is a hill found east of historic downtown area of the Mexican city ofZacatecas and is of historic and cultural significance in thestate of Zacatecas.[1][2]
The origin of Bufa Hill's name is disputed. What is, perhaps, the best-known version of the tale says that the hill was christenedBufa byJuan de Tolosa.Bufa is a word that originated from Aragonese, meaningpig bladder, which was used to describe the unique shape of the hill.[3][1]
Bufa Hill, which lies to the east of historic downtownZacatecas, is 2,610 meters above sea level. The mountain served as a home to several Aridoamericantribes, from whence the cityZacatecas received its name. The Chichimecan tribes that inhabited the Zacatecan area were the Caxcanes, Guachichiles, Guamares Irritilas, Huicholes, Tecuexes, Teules, Tepehuanes, Coras, y Zacatecas. The Zacatecas tribe was considered to be one of the most important. Thus, not only did the city of Zacatecas inherit the tribal name, but so did the state.[4] The Caxcanes occupied a large portion of what now comprises the states ofJalisco andZacatecas. The Bufa is a tourist attraction that marks the victory of theBattle of Zacatecas, a significant moment in the history of the state.
The four founding fathers of Zacatecas, a mining city, wereJuan de Tolosa,Cristóbal de Oñate, Diego de Ibarra, and Baltazar Temiño de Bañuelos.[5]
When the Spanish, who were searching forprecious metals, arrived at what is now Zacatecas, they entered through a mountainous path that led to a valley. Soon, they came across a large mountain which Juan de Tolosa namedBufa Hill.
In the year 1588, Bufa Hill had gained so much importance that it was included in the city's arms, with the support ofFelipe II.
Bufa Hill was also important in the arrival ofMiguel Hidalgo y Costilla and in theMexican War of Independence.
22°46′41″N102°33′54″W / 22.7781°N 102.5650°W /22.7781; -102.5650