Hidalgo del Parral Attractions

Beyond Ciudad Camargo, the MEX 45 continues first south and then west for 150km/93mi to the mining town of Hidalgo del Parral (1660 m (5500 ft)); population: 85,000). The town has a number of noteworthy buildings including the parish church, built in 1710, with a Chirrigueresque altar; the church of El Rayo, also 18th c., a popular place of pilgrimage among the Indians (note the Churrigueresque retablo); and the 20th c. church of La Fátima, built of locally-mined lumps of ore. It was in Parral in 1923 that Pancho Villa was ambushed and gunned down in his car. A plaque and a small museum commemorate the event.