Real de Catorce
The city is located about 284km north of San Luis Potosi. Driving time
is about 3 hours.
Located at 2,756 meters above the sea level. One takes the Cedral-Venegas
road, Real de Catorce turn-off. Climbing the sierra over a paved road, one
leaves behind extraordinary views over the valley and passes through Potrero,
by the Luz mines, Santa Ana, Dolores Trompeta where on enters the
Ogarrio tunnel, over 1,500 meters in length, paved and lighted, which
brings us to Real de Catorce. The semi-abandoned mining city is impressive
with its paved roads which rise up and down, its Carbonera square, bounded
by the parish church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Many thousands
of pilgrims come here on October 4 to venerate St. Francis of Asis. Other
places of interest are the House of Money, a beatuful work; the fine fecades
of the Municipal Square, with its metal kiosk; the cementery with its high
fence and its chapels; the cock-fighting ring; the bullring; the bridges,
stones, ruins and history of of great past riches. At the side entrance of the
parish church is the small Parish Museum, full of all types of objects, old
photographs and curiosities which have been found in mines and contructions.
Here you will also find something about the Jergas legend. This museum
is open every day and charges only a minimal amount entrance.
The mines which can be visited near to Real de Catorce are those of
Dolores Tropeta and Padre FLores.
Due to the height of this place, nights are chilly and very cold during
autumn and winter. By day the sky is a deep blue, and by night an
extraordinary panoply of starts.
By the road, the other side from where we entreed Real, one can travel to
Etsacion Catorce, another place with fruit orchards containing avocados,
apples, peaches, haws and quince.
Text from booklet of the "Secretaria de Turismo de Mexico"
last change
Wed Jan 13 16:50:55 CST 1999
by
Jurgen Engelfried (jurgen@fnal.gov)