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 The Pueblos Magicos (Magic Towns) program was initiated by the Mexican government to help preserve towns that embodied the best of Mexican culture, history and tradition. Launched in 2001, the program provides financial assistance to places that "reflect the beauty of traditional Mexican culture" according to Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo. The program has met with stunning success in terms of increasing tourism and bringing a much needed cash injection into these areas. Currently, there are 34 towns that are officially listed as Pueblos Magicos. If you want to experience Mexico's rich history and architectural past then these places are definitely worth visiting.
Real de Catorce
Named a Pueblo Magico in 2001, Real de Catorce is a small Mexican town whose principal business is tourism despite once being a popular silver mining town at the turn of the 20th century with a population of 40,000 - the last census numbered its full time residents at around a thousand now. The mysticism which is attributed to its architecture has seen many films shot on location there including "The Mexican" which starred Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, and because it's located 9,000 feet above sea-level it's become a popular spot for cyclists and runners to go training. The only access to Real de Catorce - which is located in the state of San Luis Potosi - is through the 1.5 mile Ogarrio Tunnel which adds to the sense that you're entering a place that is detached from the real world (the tunnel only accepts vehicles one way).
Despite the fact that many of Real de Catorce's buildings are in ruins there are a few which have preserved their original design and attract tourists from all over the world. One of these, the Capilla de Guadalupe, is a church with an illustrious pair of towers that flank either side of the building. It is a splendid example of Spanish Barroque architecture and it also contains various religious murals. Another important landmark is the parish church Templo de la Purisima Concepcion, which is a neo-classical building that attracts thousands of Mexican pilgrims for its image of St Francis of Assisi on one of the side altars. The church took twenty years to complete and construction began in 1793. At the edge of the town you can find the restored Plaza de Toros which is used for soccer practice by the town's residents. It was originally built in the 19th century and was used for bullfighting matches. Similarly, the Palenque de Gallos, which is a cockfighting ring built like a Roman amphitheater, was restored in the 1970s and is used for theater and dance performances.
Real de Catorce is famous for its goat meat-balls accompanied with the locally-produced mezcal - a Mexican spirit that is produced from the agave cactus plant - and on the weekends the main market serves this popular dish along with other succulent meat dishes. If you're looking to buy artisanal crafts and clothes the Huicholes Indians - who claim that the State of San Luis Potosi is their ancestral homeland even though they currently reside in western Mexico - will travel to Real de Catorce to perform "Mitote" Peyote ceremonies (peyote is a cactus plant that when consumed can produce psychedelic visions) and as a way to finance their religious pilgrim will sell clothes and crafts in the market to tourists. Under Mexican law, the Huicholes Indians are the only people who can legally gather or possess the peyote cactus. This was to protect it from "peyote" tourists who used the plant as a recreational drug.
Tourism Offices
Secretary of Tourism for San Luis Potosi
Manuel Jose Othon,
centro Historico,
San Luis Potosi,
Tel. (444) 812 9939
Tourism Office for Real de Catorce
Constitucion 27, Centro,
Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi,
Tel. (444) 887 5071
Places To Stay
El Real
Morelos 20, Centro,
Tel. (488) 887 5058
www.hotelreal.com
El Corral del Conde
Constitucion 17, Centro,
Tel. (488) 887 5048
El Angel y El Corazon
Iturbide 3, Centro,
Tel. (488) 887 5062
www.realcatorce.net/elangel
Meson de la Abundancia
Lanzagorta 11, Centro,
Tel. (488) 887 5044
www.mesonabudancia.com
Ruinas del Real
Libertad esq. Lerdo de Tejada
Tel. (488) 887 5065
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Places to Eat
Pueblo Bonito
Zaragoza 26, Centro,
Tel. (488) 887 5054
El Cactus
Jardin Hidalgo Poniente,
Centro,
te. (488) 887 5056
Malambo
Av. Constitucion 6, Centro,
Tel. (488) 887 5076
Esquina Chata
Lanzagorta s/n, Centro
tel. (488) 887 5060
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