Villas de Alcazaba

Real de Catorce, often shortened to Real, is a village in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí and the seat of the municipality of Catorce. It is located 160 miles (260 km) north of the city of San Luis Potosí, and currently has a full-time population of under 1,000 residents. This 'ghost-town' in the high and dry expanses of northern San Luis Potosí state was once a thriving silver mining settlement. Real de Catorce has long been a pilgrimage site for both local Catholics and Huichol shamanists, and is now being discovered by international tourists drawn by the desert ambience and reputed spiritual energy.

As you wander through the cobblestone streets of Real de Catorce, you'll feel as though you've stepped back in time. This former mining town dates back to the 18th century and is steeped in history. The town was once a hub for silver mining and was home to over 15,000 people during its peak. Today, it's a sleepy town with a population of around 1,000, but its rich past is still evident in the beautifully preserved colonial architecture.

One of the most unique attractions in Real de Catorce is the Túnel Ogarrio, a 2.3-kilometer tunnel that was built in the 19th century to transport silver from the mines. Today, you can take a tour of the tunnel on foot or by horseback, and marvel at the stunning engineering that went into its construction.