Real de Catorce Ghost Town

Real de Catorce is a former silver-mining town in the high desert of the Sierra de Catorce in San Luis Potosí, central Mexico, at around 2,750 meters above sea level. The town was founded in the 18th century and prospered until the early 20th century, when the mines declined and many residents left, leaving cobblestone streets and stone buildings that give it a ghost-town atmosphere. Access is by the Ogarrio tunnel, a 2.3-kilometer one-way cobblestone passage that runs through the mountain, with traffic alternating direction by schedule and a toll of about $70 MXN. The Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción, a neoclassical church, draws pilgrims to St. Francis of Assisi, particularly in early October, while the old Palenque de Gallos cockfighting arena, the Casa de Moneda mint and the Plaza Hidalgo with its bandstand reflect the town's mining past. Beyond town, the abandoned village of Ojo de Agua can be reached on foot, by horse or by jeep. The Wirikuta region around the town is a sacred landscape of the Huichol people, who travel here for pilgrimages and ceremonies. Most visitors stay a night or two, because the town is quiet in the evenings and the cool temperatures give a wide view of stars. A day trip lasts about four to six hours. Weekends and holidays bring more tourists, while midweek is calm. Streets are steep, rough and cobbled, and the altitude can cause shortness of breath, so warm clothing, sturdy shoes and water are advisable. Cash is useful, as card acceptance is limited.