Situated in the desert land of the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, the high altitude and Catorce mountain range provides the backdrop for the town known as Real de Catorce. With a history that dates back to the early 1600s, the town was, for the most part, known for its prosperity in the mining industry. Before 1638, Catorce was an established settlement, but the exact timeline for the location is unknown.
The historic record of Real de Catorce has been dotted with tales of war and acts of massacre. Attacks from surrounding tribes were commonplace as the people settled in the area were no strangers to fighting for their piece of the land. At that time, the land was occupied by tribes, referred to as the Chichimecas, who would eventually come to be known as the central Nahuas (Aztecs), which was comprised of Nahua and non-Nahua tribes throughout the north.
The Comanches also raided the surrounding areas of Real de Catorce, as well as the town itself with one of the last attacks occurring in 1744. It was then that the town was set ablaze, taking all records hailing from the first century with it. A wealth of history was lost in the fire, and the details of this first period in time were never truly uncovered.
The town was able to bounce back and in 1772, the major mines were established, eventually catapulting the area into one of the most successful mining towns in North America. Wealth and prosperity fell upon the shoulders of the townsfolk.
During the middle of the last century, Real de Catorce continued to enjoy what was dubbed as the Golden Age of the town. The mining exploits of the town mainly produced silver, whereas neighboring states, such as Zacatecas delivered a hefty amount of gold. The coming years brought many changes in the town. The main plaza underwent a period of remodeling in 1888. The streets received a much needed round of repair. A breath of fresh air breezed through the town as its appearance only improved over time.
A few years passed and by the turn of the century, a tunnel was completed that served as the main entrance and exit to the town. During the century’s start, the inhabitants of Real de Catorce believed they would flourish under the success that the town had enjoyed. Unfortunately, all changed when the Mexican Revolution took place, which frightened wealthy inhabitants to the point that they quickly fled the area. The town soon became abandoned until the once-thriving residence was reduced to about 250 residents. Today, about 1,200 people call Real de Catorce their home.
Real de Catorce underwent a period of rebirth during the 1970s, occasionally bringing tourists to the area to take a peek at the near-ghost town. Catorce is also thought to possess the perfect atmosphere for miracles, as the Church of San Francisco Assisi in the town attracts flocks of pilgrims, some traveling 30 kilometers by foot to visit. Currently, residents enjoy a pleasant and quiet seclusion, which makes up a community of year-round dwellers and frequent resident visitors.
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