Real De Catorce Sights

Sights in Real De Catorce

  1. Palenque de Gallos & Plaza de Toros

    A block northwest of the plaza lies a monument to the town’s heyday – the Palenque de Gallos, a cockfighting ring, built like a Roman amphitheater. It was restored in the 1970s and sometimes hosts theater or dance performances. Follow Zaragoza-Libertad north to the edge of the town where there are remains of the former bullring Plaza de Toros; the Capilla de Guadalupe and panteón (cemetery) across the street are free and worth a look.

    reviewed

  2. Centro Cultural de Real de Cartorce

    The Centro Cultural de Real de Cartorce, the old mint, made coins for 14 months (1,489,405 pesos-worth to be exact) in the mid-1860s. This classic monument has been exquisitely restored over the last few years. It now houses a cultural center–cum-gallery with several levels of temporary exhibitions, often on loan from museums in Mexico City. The bottom floor has a permanent exhibition depicting photos and machinery from the original mint.

    reviewed

  3. Casa de la Moneda

    Opposite the church's facade, the Casa de la Moneda, the old mint, made coins for a couple of years in the 1860s. This classic monument has been exquisitely restored over the last few years. It now houses a cultural center-cum-gallery with several levels of temporary exhibitions, often on loan from museums in Mexico City. There are plans to incorporate the town's former museum (currently closed) into the site.

    reviewed

  4. Templo de la Purísima Concepción

    This charming parroquia is an impressive neoclassical building. The attraction for thousands of Mexican pilgrims is the reputedly miraculous image of St Francis of Assisi on one of the side altars. A cult has grown up around the statue, whose help is sought in solving problems and cleansing sins.

    reviewed

  5. Capilla de Guadalupe

    Follow Zaragoza-Libertad north to the edge of the town to the Capilla de Guadalupe and panteón (cemetery) across the street; they're are free and worth a look.

    reviewed

  6. Galería Vega m57

    Real’s only art gallery hosts exhibitions and installations of contemporary work in a variety of media in a restored colonial building.

    reviewed

  7. Taller de Platería

    Just up the street from the Templo de la Purísima Concepción there is a local silver workshop, Taller de Platería.

    reviewed