Real de Catorce

The village of Real de Catorce (pronounced|reˈal de kaˈtoɾse), often shortened to Real is located 160 miles northwest of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The village of Real de Catorce sits on the side of a mountain at more than 2.743 meters (9,000 feet). It is situated in the Sierra de Catorce Mountain Range, one of the highest plateaus in Mexico, where the summits may extend over 10,000 feet.

History

Although the town had been there for many years, silver was discovered in the local mountains in 1772 and a few years later in 1779 the village was officially founded. This once thriving silver mining town presently has a full time population of under 1,000 residents. Today, its main income comes from tourism. Several major commercial motion pictures have been filmed in Real including "Bandidas" (featuring Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz), "The Mexican" (featuring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts), and some scenes of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (featuring Humphrey Bogart).

Place

The main road to Real de Catorce leaves Highway 62 between Matehuala and San Tiburcio. This is roughly to the east of Real, near the town of Cedral. From the main highway there is a 17 mile cobblestone road which rises into the sierra, then the 1.5 mile long Ogarrio Tunnel which only accepts vehicles one way (with travelers in and out having to wait their turn.)

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 church are hundreds of Retablos attesting to the miracles that have been performed.

Huichol Indians walk across miles of desert from Nayarit, Durango, Jalisco and Zacatecas to visit the valley of Catorce every spring to leave religious offerings at the "Cerro Quemado", a ceremonial center to the east of their mystical reliqious territory. Quemado is, according to their ancestral beliefs, the birthplace of their "Tatewari" or Grandfather Fire.

During this time, they also visit the "Wirikuta" or desert below Real de Catorce to gather a year's supply of sacred nourishment in the form of peyote or "hikuri", the magical cactus that they use to guide their path and consciousness. Though found throughout the region, the cacti in the Wirikuta purportedly produce the most desired crop.

At other times of the year, there is a continious pilgrimage of people of all ages and nationalities, motivated by the writings of Carlos Castaneda. They travel thousands of miles to arrive at this sacred site and experience a mystical communion with the magical cactus. So much so, in fact, that the government has mounted a campaign to protect the cactus from these so-called "peyote tourists." It is illegal for anyone but Huichol Indians to gather, or possess, the peyote cactus.

Others come to Real de Catorce for health reasons. At almost 9,000 feet the city is an excellent training ground for bicyclists and runners.

Matthew McConaughey, the actor, is a frequent visitor as he enjoys running in the area.Fact|date=April 2008

Although in the southern range of the Chihuahuan desert, due to its altitude, Real can be very cool at night. Although days, particularly in summer, can be very hot, it is advised to always bring a jacket, even in summer.

Real de Catorce was named a "Pueblo Mágico" in 2001.

External links

* [http://www.realde14.net/ About Real de Catorce]
* [http://elcafequemado.com/ Real de Catorce Weather, Internet Cafe, Online Forum ]
* [http://www.vivarealdecatorce.com Viva Real de Catorce - The Premier for Real de Catorce Information]

*wikitravel