The Town of San Luis del Mexquitique was founded on November 3, 1592 by the Franciscan Friar Diego de la Magdalena, the Chief Justice Captain Miguel Caldera and the Chief Mayor Juan de Oñate. It received its coat of arms and city status from King Philip IV in 1658. Being an important mining, political and social center, capital of the largest Intendencia of the New Spain was part of the Camino de la Plata or Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This is the reason why the cultural itinerary of the CRTA has been declared the oldest and most extensive in America, since the very Noble and Loyal City of San Luis Minas Reales del Potosí was a meeting place for nations, peoples, customs, food, cultures and ideologies.