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Real de Catorce
Panorámica de Real de Catorce.jpg
Real de Catorce is located in San Luis Potosí
Real de Catorce
Real de Catorce
Location in San Luis Potosí
Real de Catorce is located in Mexico
Real de Catorce
Real de Catorce
Location in Mexico
Country Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
State San Luis Potosí
Municipality Catorce
Elevation
2,728 m (8,950 ft)
Population
 • Total 1,392
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)

Real de Catorce (pronounced re-AL de ka-TOR-seh), often just called Real, is a small village in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. Its name means "Royal Fourteen." It is the main town of the Catorce municipality.

This village is about 160 miles (257 km) north of the city of San Luis Potosí. Today, fewer than 1,000 people live here full-time. Real de Catorce was once a busy silver mining town. Now, it is often called a "ghost town."

Real de Catorce has long been a special place for both local Catholics and Huichol spiritual leaders. More recently, people from all over the world visit. They come for the unique desert feel and the spiritual energy people say is there.

Exploring Real de Catorce's Geography

ViewRealdeCatorce
A view of Real de Catorce from a hill behind the town center.

The village of Real de Catorce is built on the side of a mountain. It sits very high up, at over 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) above sea level. It is part of the Sierra de Catorce mountain range. This area is one of Mexico's highest plateaus. Some mountain peaks here can reach over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).

These mountains are in a dry area called the Mexican plateau. High peaks of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains block the winds that bring rain from the Gulf of Mexico. This makes the area very arid.

To get to Real de Catorce, you leave Highway 62. This highway is between the towns of Matehuala and San Tiburcio. From the highway, there is a 17-mile (27 km) cobblestone road. This road goes up into the mountains. Then, you enter the Ogarrio Tunnel. This tunnel is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. Only one direction of traffic can go through at a time. Visitors must wait their turn to enter or leave.

Mining History and Sacred Land

The Cerro Quemado mountain is a very important place for the Huichol community. They travel here for special ceremonies. These include a spiritual journey, a search for a sacred plant, and a deer dance.

In 2000, UNESCO declared this site a protected area. It is important for its cultural routes and unique plants and animals. In 2001, it became a National Sacred Site under the laws of San Luis Potosí.

A company bought mining rights in this area in 2009. Most of these rights were inside the protected zone. However, in 2013, mining plans were stopped by federal courts. This legal action protects the sacred Wirikuta territory. This area covers about 140,000 hectares (345,947 acres). It includes several towns in San Luis Potosí.

The Rich History of Real de Catorce

Real de Catorce means 'Royal Fourteen'. It is said to be named after 14 Spanish soldiers. They were killed here in a surprise attack by Chichimeca warriors. Other stories say its first name was "Real de Álamos de la Purísima Concepción de los Catorce." This means "Royal Alamos of the Immaculate Conception of the Fourteen."

Even though a town existed for many years, silver was found in the mountains in 1772. A few years later, in 1779, the village was officially founded. The main church was built between 1790 and 1817.

Real de Catorce was most successful in the late 1800s. At that time, about 15,000 people lived there. It had some of Mexico's richest silver mines and even a place to make coins. There was also a bullring and shops selling fancy European goods.

The town was almost completely empty after 1900. This happened when the price of silver dropped very low. Only a few people stayed in this "ghost town." They made a living from leftover mine materials. They also earned money from the many pilgrims who visited each year. These pilgrims came to see a special image of St. Francis in the church. Today, most of the town's money comes from tourism.

Real de Catorce has been a filming location for several movies. These include Bandidas (with Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz) and The Mexican (with Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts). Some scenes from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (with Humphrey Bogart) were also filmed here. The British band alt-J filmed their music video for "3WW" in and around the town in 2017.

Popular Attractions and Activities

SanFranCath
The Templo de la Purisima Concepcion, a church with a special image of St. Francis.
PlazaHidalgo
Huichol women in the Plaza Hidalgo.

Thousands of pilgrims visit the Parish of Immaculate Conception. They come during the week of October 4, which is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. They visit to thank St. Francis for good things that have happened to them. Inside the church, there are many small paintings called Retablos. These paintings show the miracles people believe have happened.

Wixárika (Huichol) indigenous people walk many miles across the desert. They come from states like Nayarit, Durango, Jalisco, and Zacatecas. Every spring, they visit the Catorce valley. They leave religious offerings at "Cerro Quemado." This is a special ceremonial place to the east of their spiritual land. The Huichol believe Quemado is where their "Tatewari," or Grandfather Fire, was born.

During this time, they also visit the Wirikuta desert near Real de Catorce. They gather a year's supply of a sacred plant called "hikuri." This is a special cactus that helps guide their spiritual path. This cactus grows throughout the region. However, the cacti in Wirikuta are believed to be the most powerful.

At other times of the year, people of all ages and from many countries visit. They travel thousands of miles to this sacred site. They want to experience a spiritual connection with the special cactus. Because so many people visit, the government has started a plan to protect the cactus. It is against the law for anyone except Huichol people to gather or have this cactus.

Some people come to Real de Catorce for health reasons. At almost 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) high, the city is a great place for training. Bicyclists and runners often come here to practice.

Even though it is in the southern part of the Chihuahuan desert, Real de Catorce can get very cool at night. This is because of its high elevation. Days, especially in summer, can be very hot. But it is always a good idea to bring a jacket, even in summer.

Real de Catorce was named a "Pueblo Mágico" in 2001. This means "Magical Town." It is a special title given to towns in Mexico that have unique natural beauty, cultural richness, or historical importance.

Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Real de Catorce para niños

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