Distrito Federal y Zacatecas: dos enclaves culturales del Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (México)

The concept of Cultural Heritage is widening, beginning from the consideration of an isolated monument to thecurrent appreciation of the heritage values as a whole (downtowns, neighbourhoods and historical districts),and finally to the consideration of intangible heritage values (intangible heritage, traditions, gastronomy ....),and also the value of the territory, these are the foundation of the new concepts of cultural landscapes and culturalroutes. UNESCO’s Global Strategy encourages the creation of a representative, balanced and truthful WorldHeritage List.In this scenario the Cultural Route Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Mexico) was nominated. Its exceptionalvalue resides in its conception, which is its rich and well-conserved cultural legacy (historical, architectural,natural, ethnographic and archaeological) of pre-Hispanic and Hispanic cultures. Among its over 2,900 kilometers, this route brings together 11 Mexican states, but the most important sites are Mexico City and Zacatecas, where the discovery of silver mines caused the cultural exchange, trade and transport.The nomination of the Camino Real for becoming a World Heritage has been difficult management process.This journey began more than a decade ago. Nowadays this route has become a political management projectlooking forward to organize the territory.The early results of this coordination effort among eleven states are the creation of thematic working committees(Tourism, Urban Development, Culture, Intangible Heritage Management Plan, Interpretation Centers, Imageand Education). The cultural policy purpose is the instruction of cultural trainers and the teaching of CulturalHeritage in Mexico City (besides UNESCO’s programs) and the creation of a course dedicated to the CulturalHeritage Management of Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.