The original name of this singular people was "Real of Mines of the Immaculate Conception of Los Alamos of Fourteen" award from the mid-seventeenth century. A half of the eighteenth century, the village was burned by the Indians and rebuilt, assigning a variant of his first name: "Real of Mines of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Los Alamos de Catorce", a name which lost effect by the beginning of the century XIX, with the ease of visitors and locals to name just like Catorce.

The town of Real de Catorce is 2.750 meters above sea level in the Sierra de Catorce, one of the highest in the Mexican highlands, with peaks that exceed the 3.100 meters high. Attractions in Real de Catorce Magic Town bullring built in the nineteenth century in pink stone, it is said that the acoustics of the place is extraordinary, besides that from there a magnificent view of the valley and the ravine surrounding the village is observed .

The Guadalupe Chapel Its construction dates from 1770 and presents a simple facade arch, flanked by towers of one body with almost no ornamentation. Its interior is a Latin cross and save an interesting set of expressive murals that reproduce various religious themes. Palenque de Gallos Built in pink stone and shaped like a Roman amphitheater was built in 1863 and it has been presented since cockfights to art shows when the city enjoyed its former glory. Currently, the site is used for activities and artistic and cultural events. The church of the Immaculate Conception Its construction began in the late eighteenth century, exactly in 1793, and ended 24 years later, in 1817.

Its architectural style is neoclassical with Doric elements and presents a stark cover, made of quarry. Its plan is a Latin cross, emphasizing the floor made of removable flooring mesquite wood. Ogarrio tunnel is the main access to the village was opened in 1901 and says its builder was a native of Ogarrio, Spain, from Vicente Irizar name. It has an area of 2.3 km long. This was the last major construction was done in Real de Catorce, before its imminent decline.

From here the area known as "Ghost Town", where the ruins of the facilities of the mining company responsible for extracting silver is located. Garden Hidalgo Surrounded by trees, shops and restaurants, is considered the heart of the village. main square Fourteen Here are some of the most famous buildings Fourteen as the parish of the Immaculate Conception or the town hall. The pantheons interesting place if you take into account that there the first village chapel was established in 1775 by the Franciscans .

Parish Museum Place where objects, pictures and other curiosities found in mines and old buildings of Real de Catorce. take shelter Party in Real de Catorce Magic Town One of the main celebrations of Real de Catorce takes place the first days of October, when we celebrate the "Holy Charrito" St. Francis of Assisi. The celebration consists of several stages, which culminate on October 4, the day of its patron saint. Thus, from October 1, "Panchito" is taken down from the altar and placed at the bottom of the parish of the Immaculate Conception, where he is venerated by the faithful. Later it is carried in procession by the faithful in every corner of the town. During the celebrations a fair to people who come from all parts of the republic, and even abroad, mostly attracted by devotion to the "Santo Charrito" it is organized. Day 4 will sing Las Mañanitas and a mass which is chaired by the holy image, which eventually is returned to its niche of the parish of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated; then intones Las Golondrinas to say goodbye to his protector.

The Day of the Dead is very particular in Catorce. In these very traditional in Mexican folklore calendar and date the cemeteries are full of people who will visit those who went ahead in the journey, bringing balloons, flowers, music, food and joy, but not in Catorce, where the cemetery is deserted, because very few people attend the religiosity of other Mexicans.

Gastronomy of Real de Catorce Magic Town art Potosi cuisine is present in this unique village where visitors can sample dishes such as barbecue or the famous wedding roast, seasoned with a shot of brandy or mezcal. Handicrafts Magic Town Real de Catorce Here, every Saturday and Sunday flea market and traditional markets where you can find all kinds of crafts are installed, clothing and rustic furniture.

So, Real de Catorce is the point at which converge tens of thousands of faithful has been meeting every year in the parish of the Immaculate Conception to visit the miraculous Saint Francis of Assisi, patron of Real ; Huichol walking kilometers to deliver their gifts to Cerro del Quemado, ceremonial east of his mystical-religious geography, where according to their ancestral beliefs born Grandfather Fire (Tatewari), besides collecting in Wirikuta (shoal of Catorce, improperly call center desert) his sacred food: the Magical cactus that lights your way and your conscience, peyote (hikuri); and the pilgrimage of many people of all ages and nationalities motivated mainly by Castaneda's books in search of a path of heart, travels thousands of kilometers to reach this sacred place and experience the mystical communion with the Magical cactus .

A tourist level there are two main activities that can be enjoyed in Real de Catorce, one takes place in the village and the other in the mountains. Before going to the point, it is noteworthy that the place is very quiet and offers nightlife. It is ideal to rest and recover from the stress of the city. It could very well define healing. So the activity of walking is certainly the most important. The landscapes are wonderful and in just over an hour's drive you reach the hill of "Burned", sacred to the Huichol and enchanting beauty.

In the lowlands of the Sierra Wirikuta nature reserve, sacred land is located Wixarrica people, Huichol ethnic group that is responsible for collecting and use for their ceremonies hikuri, better known as peyote. The best activity that can be practiced in Catorce is walking, especially for athletes seeking new spaces where air and landscape inspire tranquility and purity. A good option that combines this activity with the appreciation of the landscape is to visit the hill of "Burned", located an hour away, and that is the ceremonial center located farther east around the sacred space of the Huichol. The view is observed from this place is an incentive for daring to make such a tour.

In the vicinity of Real de Catorce the sacred area of Wixarica village is located, ie, the Huichol Indians. Some years ago, a Canadian company purchased a vast tract of land to resume mining in the region.

After numerous protests, in this year 2012, the Huichol managed to suspend the project and thus preserved the purity of their Magic place.

Activities in Real de Catorce Magic Town is advisable to visit, other interesting sites, as the bullring, built in 1791; Pantheon Capilla de Guadalupe, which includes two sections, one in honor of San Francisco and the other dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, and finally, Palenque, where cockfighting and cutting various cultural events take place.

Most people arrive from Matehuala by bus. The bigger buses can’t get through the Ogarrio tunnel, so you’ll probably have to change buses at the eastern end for the run through (if driving, you have to wait in line and pay a toll).

These smaller buses (free) drop you at parking lot at the tunnel’s western end, from where it is a short walk down Lanzagorta to the town centre. It always pays to ask about the latest bus timetables, but there are currently departures for Matehuala at 7.45am, 9.45am, 1.45pm and 5.45pm, and sometimes 11.45am (or you may choose to hike down to Estación Catorce and catch a bus from there).