Mapimi

Destination Vibes

Why to Visit?

Mapimi stands apart for its history and its remote setting in one of northern Mexico’s most striking desert regions. Historic monuments and rugged landscapes define the town’s surroundings, including the abandoned mining settlement of Ojuela. Here, time seems to move slowly beneath the intense desert sun while structures from another era recall the prosperity and hardships of the mining frontier. The nearby Zone of Silence adds another layer of fascination, while the dramatic Ojuela bridge stretches across a deep canyon. Visiting Mapimi offers a journey into geology, history, and local legends preserved in the desert of Durango.

Located in northern Durango, within a landscape of open desert plains and low mountain ranges, Mapimi is a historic mining town shaped by centuries of trade and exploration. The region once formed part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, one of the most important commercial routes during the colonial period, connecting northern mining centers with central Mexico.

Founded in the 16th century, Mapimi quickly became an important mining hub due to deposits of silver, gold, and other minerals found in the surrounding mountains. For generations, caravans, merchants, and prospectors crossed this arid territory carrying metals and supplies along the long route toward the colonial heart of New Spain. Today, that history remains visible in quiet streets, historic buildings, and stories preserved within the community.

Just outside the town lies the destination’s most recognizable landmark: the Ojuela Mine. This abandoned mining complex sits suspended above a desert canyon and is reached by a long metal suspension bridge that leads visitors toward the remains of the former industrial site. During its peak, Ojuela was one of the most productive mining centers in the region, and the engineering of its bridge even inspired later suspension bridge designs.

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Photo: SECTUR Mx

The Ojuela Mine and Suspension Bridge

Stretching across a deep canyon in the desert landscape, the Ojuela suspension bridge forms one of the most striking scenes in northern Mexico. The metal structure connects the abandoned mining settlement with the remains of the mine that once produced silver, gold, copper, lead, and zinc. Crossing the bridge is an unforgettable experience. Beneath the walkway lies a canyon more than one hundred meters deep, while desert winds move through the steel structure. On the far side, the remains of the mining complex reveal the industrial history that once shaped this remote part of Durango.

Photo: México Desconocido

Exploring the Ghost Town of Ojuela

Near the old mine stand the remains of the settlement that once housed its workers. Stone houses, industrial ruins, and dusty pathways form a landscape that feels frozen in another era. Walking through the site offers insight into how these mining communities functioned in the desert and how nature has gradually reclaimed the structures left behind.

Photo: El Siglo de Torreón

Municipal Cemetery

The cemetery reflects the diverse origins of the people who lived and worked in Mapimi. Sculptures by local artist Benigno Montoya, particularly his stone-carved angels, stand out as remarkable examples of funerary art.

Photo: SECTUR Mx

Grutas del Rosario

Located a short distance from town, these caves reveal another dimension of the Durango landscape. Inside, stalactites and stalagmites create underground formations shaped over thousands of years.

Photo: Mapimí Pueblo Mágico

Benito Juarez Museum

Also known as Casa Cigarroa, this historic house once hosted Benito Juarez during the period known as the itinerant republic. The museum preserves the bed where he slept along with paintings, documents, and domestic objects that illustrate his stay in Mapimi.