"CHIMAYO--A Holy Place" Top 5 Page for this destination Santa Fe Things to Do Tip by VeronicaG

Traveling over snow-covered roads, which thread through the Sangre de Cristo mountains, we reached Chimayo, a holy place of pilgrimage for thousands of religious devotees on Good Friday each year.

The tranquility of the place is overwhelming--but then we visited when there were no pilgrimages or crowds. Chimayo is nestled at the base of mountains in the quiet countryside. All that could be heard was the incessant cooing of pigeons, resting on the tip of the roof.

But, here is some of its history...the pilgrimage began in 1945 to honor those who lost their lives during the Bataan Death March and grew in size each year due to reports of miracle healings. It all started in 1814 when a local farmer purportedly dug up a glowing crucifix from the ground. After a series of interesting occurrences, construction of a church was begun on the site and completed in 1816.

The main altar (picture #2) is elaborately painted in bright colors. ressembling folk art. It was done in the mid-1800's by an artist named Moleno.

A dirt room off the main chapel is said to contain the hole where the crucifix was found. The hole holds sacred earth, which is blessed and added to when needed. It is this dirt, which is said to heal all manner of ailments. Numerous crutches, a burn mask and walker testify to the faith of those who left them behind.

A statue of the infant Jesus sits in a side room, whose walls are lined with many religious pictures rendered in paint, mosaic, wood and plaster. At the infant's barefeet were carefully placed baby shoes and booties--a folk practice related to Santo Nino de Atocha.

In pleasant weather, church services are held beneath shady trees near a trickling river at the rear of the structure (pictures #3,#4 & #5). Mass is held Mon.-Sat. 11am and Sun. 10:30am-12 Noon. Three local priests conduct the services. A gift shop and small restaurant are on the grounds.

The church was listed as a historical landmark in 1970. No photos are permitted inside the sanctuary.

Directions: We traveled on Rt. 285 to Rt. 84, continued to Junction 68 then East onto Rt. 76, then S. 98 to Chimayo
Website: http://www.holychimayo.us