On September 29, a mass and festival honoring San Miguel Arcángel are celebrated in some municipalities of the Municipio de Charcas, including El Hospital. As a broader travel destination, Charcas offers other cultural and landscape attractions—from museums and Wixárika traditions to the arid Altiplano.

One Celebration, Several Traditions

Several accounts passed down through generations connect the celebration with the deaths of people during events after the Mexican War of Independence began in 1810 and before the Revolution of 1910. These accounts coexist; there are different traditions about the meaning of the festival. If you want to plan your stay around it, check the current festival program in advance.

Museums in the Municipio de Charcas

The Raíces de Mi Tierra Museum presents the landscapes, flora, and fauna of the Altiplano potosino through murals, photographs, and objects. Other topics include mining and the way of life of the Huachichiles, including their weapons, food, and medicine. The museum also has an outdoor area for temporary exhibitions and the Biblioteca Rafael Reyes Gómez. Guided visits are free; confirm current visiting arrangements in advance.

Astronomy is the focus of the Museo Interactivo de Astronomía “El Meteorito” in the Municipio de Charcas. Five themed permanent galleries cover “Universo,” “Galaxias y la Vía Láctea,” “El Sistema Solar y Sistemas Planetarios,” “La Tierra,” “Los Meteoritos,” and “Cabo Tuna.” All the galleries are equipped with interactive devices that project different astronomy topics. The planetarium shows a 30-minute film about the pre-Hispanic world and the development of astronomy. The half hour refers to the film’s length, not the duration of a complete museum visit.

Wixárika Culture and Religious Traditions in Charcas

The Wixárika pilgrimage route passes through the municipalities of Villa de Ramos, Charcas, Villa de Guadalupe, Matehuala, Villa de la Paz, and Catorce. The Huichol people call this area Wirikuta and, according to their beliefs, associate it with the origin of the world. The Ruta Histórico Cultural del Pueblo Wixárika, which runs through the municipalities of Villa de Ramos, Salinas, and Charcas, is distinct from it. Cerro Las Narices is a Wixárika ritual center along their sacred route. Semana Santa in Charcas includes a live Stations of the Cross and a silent procession.

Architectural History, Altiplano, and Cuisine

Colonial buildings stand on Charcas’s Plaza de Armas, including the town hall and old mansions that belonged to important figures in local history. The Centro Cultural is housed in the former main residence of one of the region’s numerous ore-processing haciendas. The Ex Hacienda de la Góngora was one of four ore-processing haciendas in Charcas. The ruins of the original settlement remain in Charcas Viejas; the only surviving structure is said to be a very old aqueduct.

Charcas is part of the arid Altiplano potosino. The Ojo de Agua recreation center includes the spring that gave rise to Charcas. Culinary traditions are also part of the region’s character: Gorditas ferrocarrileras are considered a Charcas specialty, whose origins are associated with the railroad. Mezcal Laguna Seca is made at the Ex-Hacienda de Laguna Seca in the municipality of Charcas, using wild Agave salmiana and a 100% artisanal process.

For nature experiences, the Grutas de la Cueva Azul, with their stalactite and stalagmite formations, are a destination in their own right. A permit and the company of a guide are required for a visit; confirm these conditions locally before traveling.

For the broader travel overview: Charcas.