Real de Catorce in the Sans Luis Potosi state, Mexico is a wonderful place.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_de_Catorce
It's a former mining town up in the mountains (2700 m). At it's peak 15000 people were living there but only a few dozen remain at the beginning of the 20th century.
It was never completely abandoned and now have about 1200 inhabitants. It's also a popular catholic pilgrimage place.
I've quickly visited the place in 2003 and wanted to see it again on my recent trip to Mexico.
Fortunately it hasn't changed too much in 11 years, more hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops but most of its charm is intact.
Ruins are just outside the center and you can do superb hikes in the surroundings exploring the mountains, ghost hamlets, old mining installations...

Hand-held HDR (3 double shot with a Canon S95 rig) processed with Photomatix and SPM.

Pierre.