Real De Catorce

REAL DE CATORCE
There are two main activities which the tourist can enjoy in Real de Catorce; the first takes place inside the town and the other in the surrounding mountains. Before going anyfurther, it should be noted that this is a very peaceful place and that there is no night-life.
The landscapes are marvelous and in about an hour you can walk to a hill known as "El Quemado", a sacredHuichol site of enchanting beauty. From here one can enjoy a marvelous view of the mountains and the desert below, which is an abundant reward for the effort. Another interesting one is a visit to the"Ghost Town", high above the Ogarrio Tunnel and past the old "Concepción's Mine".
OGARRIO TUNNEL
Paradoxically, just before the last golden era of Catorce ended, the Ogarrio Tunnel was inaugurated,it considerably shortened the distance between the Real and the east side of the mountain where many mine shafts can be found, as Santa Ana, El Refugio, Boqueiro and Ave María. It facilitated thetransportation of minerals to the estates of Potrero, Cedral and Matehuala, located in the eastern plains where it was refined. Ogarrio, is the name of the de la Maza family hometown, located nearSantander in northern Spain, it was Mr. Irizar, the family's property administrator, who named the tunnel. He and his son Roberto designed and built it; they used the Dolores mineshaft and re routed ittowards Real de Catorce In the inside a double tram pulled by mules carrying ore from the vein of St. Augustine and the Catorce passengers was installed. The inauguration was very stylish, There was ahomage for don Vicente Irizar, sponsor of all the mining innovations carried out during those fifty years in the St. Augustine and Santa Ana mines, and crowned with the Ogarrio Tunnel.
THE MUSEUM
TheParish Museum is located on Lanzagorta Street, in front of the Parish Church; it was born on the decade of the eighties thanks to the will and effort of one of the most beloved parishioners of Real:...