While Real de Catorce is a small village, there is no end to the number of things to do while visiting. Most people leave after two or three days wishing they had another week or even a month to see the things they did not have time to see.
As with most places in the world, one cannot accurately give a description of the place to another person whom they have not met and have not idea of their desires. This list is simply an overview of those things which a great number of people find themselves enjoying while spending a few magical days and nights in Real de Catorce and the surrounding area. We have chosen to list things in a random order.
| Renewal |
For over a hundred years, people have been coming to Real de Catorce for seeking wisdom as they believe that Real is a place of healing and spiritual powers. Visitors from South America, Mexico, United States, Canada and Europe arrive in Real de Catorce in order to attend spiritual and religious ceremonies in search of their own visions of renewal. Real de Catorce possesses a great beauty for those who are willing to open their mind and heart in order to see the gift. |
| Shopping |
| Real de Catorce has a great number of specialty boutiques that offer handmade designer clothing, leather and straw hats, leather and hand woven purses, fine art, home accessories, homemade tequilas and mescals, preserves, and a wide variety of gifts for friends back home. The Huichol Indian art is available in a number of shops. There are also vendors who sell their handmade items on the streets in town as well as the vendors in the market. |
| Views of Surrounding Area |
| If you walk up any of the streets in town, you will be greeted with panoramic vistas of the mountains, the valley below Real and the area beyond. From several vantage points you can see hundreds of miles into the distance. |
| Ancient Dwellings |
| As you ascend the mountain road to Real de Catorce, you will see the ruins of ancient dwellings. These were once the homes of the indians who lived in the area. Today, the roofs have collapsed and the insides are filled with cactus. The crumbling walls offer opportunities for photographers to capture their beauty. However, be very careful about parking on the side of the mountain road as your vehicle may become a hindrance should two other cars traveling in opposite directions need to pass. The road is only wide enough for two vehicles. |
| Photo and Painting Opportunities |
| Real de Catorce has always been a special place for the creative arts. Photographers and artists have recorded the images and visions of the village for over a hundred years. The stone walls, the beautiful skies, the flora and fauna, and the colorfully dressed Huichol Indians have graced countless photos and paintings over the years. You will find art classes in painting and photography available on a monthly basis in Real de Catorce. See Classes for more information. |
| Horseback Riding |
| There are cowboys situated across from the Meson de la Abundancia Hotel located on Calle Lanzagorta, who will be more than happy to run up the nearby hill to the stable and retrieve as many horses as needed to take your group on a guided tour of Real de Catorce. The horses are well behaved and people often take their small babies on horseback with them. They will make special considerations for elderly and those with limited movement. See Guided Tours for more information |
| Jeep Tours |
| You will notice Willy's Jeeps parked opposite the Plaza Hildago. These are for hire to take you and your group on explorations of the mines, the Catorce Railway Station or to Wadley. They also serve as taxis for the local people who are going to the desert below Real de Catorce. See Guided Tours for more information |
| The Parish Church |
| One should not miss a visit to the Parish Church. The tree-shaded and flowered courtyard offers an opportunity to rest while observing the beautiful facade of the church. Once inside the cool interior of the church you will be greeted with an amazing collections of artifacts and paintings in this very elaborate and gilded representation of faith. See Churches for more information. |
| Cock-Fighting Ring or Palenque de Gallos |
| The Cock Fighting Ring looks like a miniature of a Roman coliseum. Today, the arena is used for open air programs and fiestas and yes, an occasional cock fight will be held for special events. You will find the arena by walking up Calle Zaragosa toward the Town Cemetery and turning left onto Calle Xicotencatl. On the corner you will find the Artesanos el Corazon del Desierto. There will be a vendor roasting corn in an open pit on the corner. About half way up the street on the right you will find the door to the arena, which is locked at 5:00 pm each day. |
| Ogarrio Tunnel |
| Visitors to Real de Catorce must pass though the Ogarrio Tunnel to reach the village. The tunnel began as a small mine passage for the ore carts to travel to the outside on the tracks. Today the tunnel has been enlarged to allow cars and trucks to pass though, albeit in a one-way fashion. There is a guard stationed at each end of the tunnel to radio to the other side to check for clearance. In the 1990s the tunnel was widened in areas, lights installed, and the floor paved. The fee charged at the entrance is for the tremendous overhead of keeping the tunnel passable. See Ogarrio Tunnel for more information. |
| Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel - Capilla de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores |
| Once inside the Ogarrio Tunnel, you will notice a small chapel on the right. This tiny 12-foot chapel was carved from the solid rock in the tunnel wall in honor of those who lost their lives in past construction and mining operations. See Ogarrio Tunnel for more information. |
| The Parish Church or La Parroquia de la Purisima Concepcion |
| The Parish Church is a Franciscan building with massive construction, stone walls and ample proportions usually found in Cathedrals. It is considered to be one of the finest churches in all of San Luis Potosi. Its facade is neoclassic with a cavered portico. The stone was brought to Real from Zacatecas and is a grey-brown sandstone, which is contrast to the stone native to Real. Ionic columns grace the entrance forming a parapet with huge stone images. See Churches for more information. |
| Chapel of Repose or Capilla del Reposo |
| The Chapel of Repose was built on the hillside at the far edge of town about 1760. The small structure served as the parish chapel for approximately 20 years before the construction of the larger Church of Guadalupe. A cemetery was built up around the structure surrounded by a rock wall to keep animals from entering the grounds. It is located just a short walk down Calle Zaragosa. See Churches for more information. |
| Church of Guadalupe or Templo de Guadalupe |
The Church of Guadalupe or "Templo de Guadalupe" was built in January, 1780 and the final stone of the church placed on February 14, 1783. The Church is located at the far edge of town down Calle Zaragosa. If you decide to visit, be sure to ask if at the municipal building if the gates are padlocked. |
| Saint Francis de Assisi |
| The statue of Saint Francis de Assisi (the Seraphic Father) was originally displayed in the La Capilla, a small chapel predating the Parish Church. When the statue was moved, it had to be placed on a side alter as the main alter belongs to the statue of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of Real de Catorce for whom the Parish Church was originally constructed. |
| The Retalbas |
Thousands of pilgrims visit the Parish of Immaculate Conception the week around the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4 to express their gratitude for favors granted. Inside the Parish Church are hundreds of Retalbas attesting to the miracles that have been performed. Walk to the center of the church and turn left into the side alter. On the right of this alter is a door that leads to the Retalbas. |
| The Town Cemetery or Panteon o Camposanto |
| Located at the end of Calle Zaragosa is the Town Cemetery. It surrounds the Church of Guadalupe. There you will find the most elaborate tombstones celebrating the lives of many of the deceased residents of Real de Catorce. |
| Mint or Casa de Moneda |
| The mint is located just across the plaza from the Old Parish Church. Coins were minted in the building for a short period of time. Today, the building is being refurbished into studios for artists and municipal events. |
| Bullfight Ring or Plaza de Toros |
| The bullfight ring is located directly across the street from the town cemetery at the end of Calle Zaragosa. While we no longer have bull fights in Real de Catorce, the area is preserved for the future. The town allows camping near the ring for those on a budget, but no camping or fires are permitted in the area of the bull fight ring. |
| Hildago Square or Plaza Hildago |
| Located at the end of Lanzagorta Street the square is a comfortable place to visit, sit on the park benches and watch the day go by. You will find a beautifully landscaped flower garden and birds singing in the tall trees. Some municipal events are held in the central covered gazebo. |
| Dining |
| You will find excellent and fine dining available in Real de Catorce. There is something for everyone and if you don't see it on the menu, just ask and sometimes it will be possible to satisfy your desires. Most of the restaurants in town serve Italian dishes in homage to the many Europeans that visit Real and in fact live in the town. You will also find excellent Argentinean, American, Slovenian, and even Mexican food on the menus.See Places to Eat for more information. |
| Cabuches |
| Cabuches are the flowers of the cactus red Bishop's weed of thorn and an exclusive product of the semi desert zone of the state of San Luis Potosí. Their season and harvest agree with the Easter holiday. They are served with many dishes and are excellent when marinated in a balsamic vinegar. You can find them preserved and bottled in Real de Catorce in many of the local stores. |
| The Town Fountain |
| The Town Fountain is located between the Parish Church and the Municipal buildings. It was originally in the center of Plaza Hildago but was moved to it's present location to make way for the gazebo to be built in the Plaza. |
| Parish Museum |
| Check at the Tourist Office at the Municipal Building to view the Parish Museum. There you will find a good many objects and relics from Real de Catorce's past. The Parish Museum is located in the lower part of the Parish Church at the corners of Calle Reyes and Calle Lanzagorta. |
| Bridge of Jesus or Puente de Jesus |
| Located at the end of Calle Zaragosa near the cemetery is the Bridge of Jesus. |
| The La Purisima Bridge or Puente de la Purisima |
| You will find this bridge crossing over to the other side of Real Catorce. |
| Santiago Bridge or Puente de Santiago |
| This is another bridge crossing over to the other side of Real Catorce. |
| Lavin Theatre or El Teatro Lavin |
| The ruins of the Lavin Theatre can be found at No. 1 Calle Iturbide. From Plaza Hildago, walk up Calle Zaragosa toward the cemetery and keep your eyes on the right. You can see the Lavin on Calle Iturbide from Calle Zaragosa. |
