In the mid- and late sixteenth century, the discovery of rich veins of silver in neighbouring Zacatecas and Guanajuato flamed the Spanish desire for precious metals. They struck silver at Cerro de San Pedro but established the city of Real San Luis Minas de Potosi some 5 km away. The large mineral deposits petered out fairly quickly, but by then San Luis was firmly established as a centre of ranching and commerce.

As capital of a huge region encompassing not only today’s Nuevo Leon and Coahuila but also Texas and Louisiana, the city was once the most important city in northern Mexico. San Luis is still a vital and prosperous city, with hundreds of business enterprises.

The city maintains its sense of tradition and, in its historic centre, a wealth of colonial and republican-era buildings despite being thoroughly urban. Many are neoclassic, and a number of baroque churches have been remodelled with neoclassic interiors.