Mineral de Pozos

OVERVIEW

A high-desert mining town built on gold and silver seams first fortified by the Spanish in the sixteenth century. At its nineteenth-century peak roughly 50,000 people lived here across seventeen mining haciendas, and the district was among the largest silver producers in the world. Mining ceased in the 1920s and the town was abandoned twice.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

Its roofless haciendas and headframes have made it a standing film location, including Carlos Velo's 1960 adaptation of Pedro Páramo, which cemented its ghost-town reputation. The Santa Brígida, Las Muñecas, Cinco Señores and San Rafael workings can be visited.

VISITING

A Pueblo Mágico open to the public; the mine ruins are toured with local guides.